Dear Coyotes and Colleagues,

There have been several rulings by the Supreme Court of the United States that impact all of us. California State University, San Bernardino is a public university. This means we were created and continue to exist as a service and resource to the people of the Inland Empire, as well as our entire state of California, and Nation by providing equitable access to higher education.

But, we can provide this access and an education designed for the global realities of our time only if we are able to recognize and address the lived realities of the students whom we serve. We cannot pretend that a few decades of formal legal equality mean that systemic racism, homophobia, economic barriers, and barriers to women’s full participation in our nation no longer exist.

Our differences are not to be feared. Rather, they are meant to be celebrated as the valued and valuable individuality of each of us. They serve as opportunities for learning about one another, enriching our lives and building stronger communities so we can face the challenges of the future together.

The work that our university has done to build diversity, equity and inclusion into the infrastructure and all aspects of CSUSB can and must persist. We will continue to advocate for student access to a college education. And then for ways to support our students throughout their academic journeys—there is no one-size-fits-all pathway. And finally, for the mechanisms to enable students to graduate without having to acquire future-stunting debt to reach their academic goals.

A dynamic and effective 21st century university is one that provides access and exposure to a global diversity of knowledge and experience and where all feel welcome. And that includes those studying and working here.

We cannot build bridges if we refuse to acknowledge the chasms and valleys that still divide.

We are CSUSB. We are here to serve our community and one another. And these are our values.

In community,

Tomás D. Morales President