Dear faculty and sta,

Commencement season invites reec on, and I didn't want the academic year to close
without thanking you for your commitment to providing a learning environment that is
based on several key values: diversity and inclusion, the right to free speech and
expression, and compassion and empathy for all.

A key goal of Momentum is to be a model for diversity and inclusion. Discrimina on,
harassment or hatred of any type will not be tolerated at Adelphi. These ac ons have no
place in our community. We have the collec ve responsibility to ensure that Adelphi
remains a respec ul, caring and safe community for all of our members.

Though we have been tested at mes this year, our commitment to our goal of diversity
and inclusion has been unwavering. It is evidenced by the ac on we've taken this year,
which includes:

The establishment of a vice president and Oce of Diversity and Inclusion

The launch of the Diversity Cer cate program
The crea on of task forces for LGBTQ students and for DACA, interna onal and
immigrant students
Par cipa on in roundtables, forums, dialogues and crea on of anity spaces
The development of a demonstra on policy
The revision of faculty search protocols, resul ng in a search season that a ained
nearly 50 percent faculty of color

A university is also a place for exploring diverse ideas--ideas that challenge what we
believe and how we view the world. We are commi ed to encouraging this discourse and
dialogue. Most of us would agree these are challenging mes in our na on for
meaningful, respec ul dialogue about dierence and diversity. S ll, college oers no
be er me or place for young people to share their beliefs, challenge their beliefs and
consider other perspec ves.

To be a university where all feel safe and respected, regardless of their faith, origin, race,
gender or sexual, poli cal, ideological or intellectual orienta on, we must con nue to
have hard conversa ons, to work to understand our dierences, to support and hear
each other in the free expression of ideas.

This past year has made clear that conversa ons about free speech and open ideas in our
community are far from over.
This was underscored recently by both the arma ve and cri cal community response
to one of our teams playing part of a poli cal campaign speech by President Trump at an
Adelphi spor ng event.

While reac ons to the event were varied, in order to maintain its integrity as an
ins tu on of higher educa on, it is cri cal that Adelphi University maintain its neutrality
in regard to any poli cal ac vity or endorsement. The University does not and will not
take poli cal posi ons or make poli cal endorsements.

The recent event made clear a gap in University policy to delineate when University
members are engaging within their rights of free speech and expression and when they
are ac ng or may be perceived as ac ng as University representa ves.

Going forward, the University will develop a policy that prohibits the use of any of its
symbols, logos or other iden fying marks in associa on with any ac vity that involves the
endorsement and support of poli cal ac vi es or candidates. Addi onally, the policy will
delineate individuals and groups that act or may be perceived as ac ng as University
representa ves. The policy will present clear guidelines on endorsements and poli cal
ac vity. As a tax-exempt organiza on under Sec on 501(c)(3), we must bring our policies
in line with the requirements of our tax code.

In the coming weeks and months, we need to con nue to tackle these important
discussions and address the ways in which we protect speech on campus and create the
most inclusive community possible. It is clear that we must con nue to rene the ways
we maximize teaching opportuni es, protect individual freedom of speech and navigate
the challenges when that speech may be perceived as the viewpoint of the University.

Much good work has been done, but more remains. The success of our University and
the health of our democracy depend on it. I've appreciated the way in which you all have
par cipated in these conversa ons and helped to make them produc ve. I look forward
to con nuing the conversa on.

All the best,

Chris ne M. Riordan, Ph.D.

President