Our Commitment to the Rutgers Community as a New Semester Begins

January 16, 2025

Members of the Rutgers Community,

As the first day of classes for our undergraduates approaches, I want to welcome you back for what promises to be an exciting spring semester. Though the winter break is important for recharging our energy levels and connecting with loved ones, I’m also eager to see our campuses fill up again with the excitement of new courses, new students, and new discoveries—plus the anticipation of commencement exercises not far down the calendar.

I have described Rutgers as a beloved community, and I want to reiterate that vision. A key strength of the university is the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that the members of our community bring to their work. We will not always agree on every issue, but we all deserve respect—every student, faculty member, and staff member—and we all have a vital role to play in the success of this institution.

As a public university, we remain deeply committed to our long-standing mission: to provide for the educational needs of New Jersey through our undergraduate, graduate, professional, and continuing education programs, to conduct cutting-edge research and clinical care that contributes to the well-being of the state, nation, and world, and to perform public service in support of the people of the state and the common good.

In carrying out that mission, we protect our students’ right to a Rutgers education—regardless of nationality, citizenship, political views, ancestry, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, veteran status, or socioeconomic status.

Discrimination is antithetical to education. Let me take this opportunity to reaffirm that Rutgers stands against harassment and discrimination in all its forms—including based on national origin, shared ancestry, and ethnic characteristics, including shared Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian, Arab, or Muslim ancestry or association with these national origins and ancestries. The university will take all necessary steps within our control to address and ameliorate discrimination, and I encourage any student or employee who believes they have been subject to, or has information about, such discrimination to report it through their Dean of Students office or the Office of Employment Equity.

We also remain steadfast in our support of academic freedom and free speech. And we are committed to the success of our students, faculty, and staff in the pursuit of their goals and ambitions.

The start of our Spring 2025 semester coincides with the first week of a new Administration in Washington, D.C., and the potential for policy changes that could have a direct impact on our university and on our students, faculty, and staff. With that in mind, please be assured of our firm commitment to supporting this remarkable and diverse community of scholars.

My senior leadership team has been closely following the presidential transition and its implications for higher education, and we will communicate regarding federal policy changes that will have a significant impact on the Rutgers community. Just as important, we will make clear the various resources that the university has in place to assist and advocate for our students, faculty, and staff should the need arise.

To all our students arriving for the new semester, especially those joining Rutgers for the first time, I offer my fondest wishes for a productive, engaging, and rewarding spring semester.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Holloway
President and University Professor