Dear WashU students, faculty, and staff,
This is a critical time for American higher education. For years, public trust in our nation’s colleges and universities has been eroding. We now find ourselves facing uncertainty on numerous fronts in a rapidly changing environment. There are significant threats to our ability to fulfill our core missions. Proposed cuts to research funding are a prime example of the seriousness of our current situation. We are no longer able to sit by and let our enormous impact on society be diminished or devalued.
It’s more important than ever that we make it very clear where we stand, what we stand for, and the value we bring to our nation and the world. At WashU, our focus is squarely on our mission – research, education and patient care. In order to have our greatest impact in each of these areas, we must recommit ourselves to putting these priorities above all else. And we must make our intentions known.
Earlier today, the Chronicle of Higher Education published an op-ed I co-authored with Daniel Diermeier, chancellor of Vanderbilt University. Titled “Universities Must Reject Creeping Politicization,” the piece outlines our shared commitment to three core principles: excellence, academic freedom and free expression, and access. Recognizing the politicization that has taken place at some of our peer institutions, we urge all universities to return to their foundational purposes and recommit to the core principles that sustain them.
These principles, which were shaped with input from our deans and faculty, and approved by the Board of Trustees, are published on our website here. When you read them, you will see they do not represent anything that is particularly new to WashU. They draw on a number of existing policies and guidelines that have shaped our approach to our work in support of our mission for many decades. What’s new is our intention to clearly state these principles and commit to them as guiding forces in all we do. We cannot be distracted from our core mission, and adhering to these principles will ensure that we keep our focus squarely where it belongs.
In times like these, it’s more important than ever that we don’t lose sight of our highest-impact priorities and that we keep the work of the university moving forward. I will provide updates on key projects and initiatives at my annual State of the University address, which will be live-streamed at 2 p.m. next Tuesday, February 25. I hope you all will make time to tune in.
Here at WashU, we’re resilient. We know from experience that we will come together to successfully navigate any challenges that come our way. We’re strong, especially in times of uncertainty. Every individual here contributes valuable perspectives, strengths, and lived experiences to our community. We will hold to our values and preserve the fabric of our character as an institution, while prioritizing our work in support of our mission. I hope you each will join me in committing to our core principles and showing the world that WashU is an example of what an American institution of higher education can and should be.
Best,
Andrew D. Martin
Chancellor