Washington and Lee faculty vote to change the university's name

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. To: The W&L Community From: President Will Dudley

To: The W&L Community
From: President Will Dudley
Date: June 23, 2020
Re: Priorities, Actions, and Next Steps

In my previous message to you, I emphasized that W&L stands with those demanding fundamental changes to systems and practices that perpetuate racial inequality and injustice. This stance is rooted in our personal and institutional values, and in our educational mission, which commits us to diversity and inclusion and obligates us to apply our talents and resources in the service of the public good. We are called to do everything in our collective power to eradicate racism in all its forms, wherever it is found.

I have heard from many of you in recent weeks. Some of you have recounted painful experiences of exclusion and racism during your time as students or employees at W&L. Some of you have stressed the need for a more thorough and candid accounting of our history. And some of you have expressed the conflict you feel between your love of W&L and your concern about our prominent association with Robert E. Lee, whose presidency transformed the university, but who also led the Confederate army in defending slavery and has come to symbolize the defense of racial oppression that we unequivocally reject.

Many of you have called for decisive action in accordance with our values. You have asked me what we have done. And you have asked me what more we will do. I welcome these questions – which I ask myself every day.

In this message, I want to address our priorities, our recent actions and ongoing commitments, and the next steps we will take together.

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