July 14, 2023

Dear students, faculty and staff,

I hope this message finds you all doing well. I wanted to take a moment to address the recent Supreme Court ruling on the admission processes of Harvard College and the University of North Carolina. It's important for us to understand how this ruling about affirmative action in college admissions may or may not affect us here at UAF.

The court ruled that the raced-based admission processes at Harvard College and UNC violate the Constitution's equal protection clause. This ruling effectively ends affirmative action in college admissions in the United States.

This Supreme Court ruling doesn't directly impact our general admission practices.

At UAF, our admission practices are quite different from those of Harvard and UNC. We prioritize open access to higher education, which means we don't make any admissions decisions based on race. Our main focus is to provide opportunities and a supportive environment for anyone who wants to pursue higher education. That focus is part of our unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Affirmative action is a topic that stirs up strong opinions and emotions. As a community, it's crucial that we engage in respectful dialogue and foster an environment where diverse viewpoints can be expressed and discussed constructively. Upholding our principles of inclusivity, fairness and equal opportunity remains our top priority as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of higher education.

If you have any questions or concerns about our admission policies or anything related, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Let's work together to nurture an environment that promotes academic excellence and the success of all our students.

Warm regards,

— Owen Guthrie, vice chancellor of student affairs and enrollment management