UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies sent the following message to the UNMC community on Thursday, Feb. 20.
To the UNMC community,
In its position as a state institution, the University of Nebraska Medical Center always has abided by state and federal law. Recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education has reaffirmed that race-based considerations in federally funded educational institutions are no longer permissible, and UNMC will comply fully with these federal requirements.
As President Gold said in his recent letter to the university community, UNMC, as well as other University of Nebraska institutions, is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of all campus activities and programs possibly affected by this guidance. UNMC leaders will evaluate current programs, positions and policies to ensure the federal guidance is being observed while continuing to provide a welcoming environment for all students.
I have created a task force to ensure that UNMC is in compliance.
Members of the task force are:
- Jane Meza, PhD, interim vice chancellor of academic affairs
- Sheritta Strong, MD, assistant vice chancellor for campus engagement
- Kendra Schmid, PhD, interim dean of graduate studies
- Phil Covington. EdD, associate vice chancellor for student success
- Bill O’Neill, executive director of strategic communications
- Anne Bowen Fischer, senior assistant to the chancellor
UNMC is committed to supporting all its students. UNMC’s programs and offices are designed to serve the need of every student, and UNMC’s five statewide campuses will work to ensure their students and programs are positioned to serve the needs of all Nebraskans.
UNMC, like the University of Nebraska, is committed to keeping its faculty, staff and students informed as this review process goes forward and changes are made. Communication about these steps will be forthcoming.
Thank you for the work you do to make UNMC a great institution as we continue in our mission to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities in Nebraska and beyond.
Sincerely,
H. Dele Davies, MD
Interim Chancellor, University of Nebraska Medical Center