Diversity Statement
The Johns Hopkins Alumni Association
The Johns Hopkins Alumni Association hereby pledges itself to the goal of promoting and encouraging diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination by embracing respect for human differences in all forms. We believe that the purpose, positions, and programs of the Alumni Association are strengthened by diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination, which will ensure the enduring success of our mission. Diversity in our leadership should always reflect the varied nature our membership, represent our culture, and support our values. Diversity forms the foundation for a respectful, tolerant, thoughtful, and stimulating organization and enhances the reputation of the Alumni Association and the University while improving the delivery of services to our diverse membership. It is in this context that we support the Johns Hopkins University Diversity and Inclusion Statement, commit ourselves to its principles, and adopt it as our own.
Approved by the Executive Committee of Johns Hopkins Alumni Council
September 3, 2013
At Johns Hopkins we strive to be a model of a pluralistic society in which we acknowledge, embrace, and engage diverse identities, perspectives, and experiences. We seek to build and buttress an inclusive intellectual and physical environment to ensure that all members of our community know with certainty that they belong at Johns Hopkins. And we aspire to equitably share the benefits and burdens of dismantling persistent systemic barriers to individual and communal success.
We believe, fundamentally, that every person has equal dignity and worth, and our unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is rooted in this predicate principle. These core values are essential to our university’s academic, research, and public service missions, and bolster our commitment to excellence. Our search for truth and knowledge for the good of humanity depends on bringing the greatest variety of viewpoints and voices to bear on the challenges before us as students, scholars, staff, neighbors, and citizens.
At the intersection of these values is justice. Over the course of history, our nation and university have breached the ideals of justice by discriminating on the basis of race; ethnicity; sex; gender identity and expression; religious belief and observance; disability; socio-economic status; veteran/military status and other factors. We recognize the painful truth that such discrimination has inflicted multigenerational harm and further disenfranchises members of our society. Although our polity and our institution have made meaningful progress, we are by no means past the injury and loss caused by discriminatory practices.
Johns Hopkins assumes its responsibility as a leading research university to work to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we hold ourselves accountable for our progress through transparency, open communication, and an ongoing, unflinching assessment of met and unmet needs.