Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action

Our School stands with the University in our shared belief that diversity is a positive force across every dimension of Columbia, and we can and must find a durable and meaningful path to preserve it (please see the full University message here). I also join with leadership from across CUIMC to affirm our commitment to a diverse student body and faculty. Each of our schools has for many years been focused on creating a more equitable admissions process, one that recognizes and addresses the nation’s long and persistent history of racial discrimination and exclusion. Ensuring that health care is provided by a racially and ethnically diverse workforce is central to our commitment to improving health outcomes, reducing health disparities in marginalized communities, and moving closer to a thriving and equitable society. (see the letter from the four deans at CUIMC)

I would like to underscore that our School will follow the law while remaining committed to fostering a diverse student body that is core to our mission. We will remain in contact as the administration gains a better understanding of the implications of this ruling. We look forward to coming together in the months ahead to discuss the decision and what it means for our students, instructional staff, and community.

Sincerely,

Linda P. Fried, MD, MPH (she/her)

Dean and DeLamar Professor of Public Health 
Mailman School of Public Health  
Director, Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center 
Senior Vice President, Columbia University Medical Center 
Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine