SUBJECT:

Chancellor's Message on Affirmative Action

The national discussion about affirmative action has focused the
interest of the public and the university community on the types of
programs we operate to diversify our student body, faculty, and staff.
Since its founding, the University has been an institution for all
Californians. Daniel Coit Gilman, the first president, expressed this
fundamental principle in his inaugural address of 1872: "...This is
'The University of California'...the University of this State. It
must be adapted to this people... to their peculiar geographical
position, to the requirements of their new society and their
undeveloped resources. It is 'of the people and for the people'... It
opens the door of superior education to all..."

Over thirty years ago The Regents of the University of California
established programs aimed at bringing to the university individuals
who have historically faced unequal access to education. In the 1980s
The Regents adopted the statement that it is the university's mission
to enroll students who are "geographically, culturally, racially,
economically and socially diverse..." I enthusiastically support
this policy. There is no question that diversity is essential to the
strength and welfare of the university, the state of California, and
the nation.

As one of the nation's leading institutions of higher education, we
have an obligation to communicate and clarify the policies and
practices of our affirmative action programs. We have explained to
the community and the media our admissions and outreach programs and
will continue to be actively involved in discussions of affirmative
action. We must protect our accomplishments in the area of
affirmative action and, where appropriate, improve upon our programs.
Excellence and diversity are complementary principles that guide UCSD.
The student body and workforce of this campus exemplify these
principles.

A great public university must serve all of its citizens and
affirmative action is critical to achieving that objective. I am
committed to making the University of California at San Diego a place
of intellectual excellence and moral well-being, rich in ethnic and
cultural diversity.

Richard C. Atkinson Chancellor