March 10, 2008

Dear OSU Community:

A story on today's Chronicle of Higher Education Web site, prompted by the "black out" incident last fall at the Stadium, examines the climate at OSU with regard to issues of race and diversity. As the story acknowledges, OSU is not the only campus in America to have experienced such an incident and is moving ahead in a thoughtful manner, through ongoing dialogue, surveys, and other means to assess where we stand and what we must do to make real progress.

In the midst of the initial campus reaction to the incident, one student was reported to have said that the criticisms being expressed at that time would not result in any lasting change. As I said then, it is unacceptable for students to have the expectation that troubling circumstances will not create meaningful change at this university. In the months since then, many students, faculty, and staff have joined together to work for change, to discuss an agenda for ensuring progress in building the diverse community we all seek, and continue to do so.

There is yet another opportunity for each of us to join those efforts today at 2:00 p.m. in the MU Journey Room, Vice Provost Larry Roper will lead a Campus Climate Forum titled "Achieving Our Vision of Community."

This interactive session will allow participants to collectively chart the important steps and essential actions necessary to create the community toward which we aspire. Hosted by the Office of Community and Diversity, this forum is open to everyone. I invite you to join Dr. Roper for this important forum and to lend your energies toward creating a better OSU for us all.

Sincerely,

Edward J. Ray
President