The American College Health Association (ACHA) emphatically opposes the criminalization and eroding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts on college campuses. We want to assure our members in impacted states that ACHA stands with you and supports you. Your work is critically important, and we commend you for this.
As with many individuals and organizations, we face an important choice – allow assaults on fundamental rights and the health and well-being of our campus communities to go unanswered or raise our voice in opposition. ACHA chooses the latter. We will continue to assist our members, and the hundreds of thousands of students, faculty, and staff they serve, in navigating these fear-inducing, injurious political actions.
Beyond the fundamental wrongs of such attacks, we know that such actions will negatively affect the health and well-being of the impacted campuses. Research demonstrates that diversity and inclusion greatly contribute to student success, health, and well-being.
ACHA reaffirms our values in support of the promotion of DEI, justice, and accessibility within the higher education community. Colleges should be guided by the values of inclusion, respect, equality, and equity and reject all forms of intolerance and bias, whether implicit or explicit. Such a climate is foundational for healthy students and a healthy campus community. Consistent with these values, ACHA rejects all forms of discriminatory conduct.
We invite ongoing discussions with members on this important issue. Please look for future communications on how to do so.
Topic
Advocacy & Legislation, DEIJA
Post Type
Advocacy Updates