To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Chancellor Richard Herman" <chancellor@uiuc.edu>

Reply-To: chancellor@uiuc.edu
 Subject: MASSMAIL - One Campus Initiative

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

At Monday's New Student Convocation, I announced the launch of our "One 
Campus Initiative."  During this academic year, we will be 
making "difference" the topic of our wide-ranging conversation.  The 
initiative began on campus last year with a challenge:  How can we here at 
Illinois appreciate difference in order to make a difference?  

We are more diverse than ever before.  But we still struggle to appreciate 
just what that rich diversity really means, what it requires of us, and 
how we all benefit from embracing an inclusive society.  I am more 
determined than ever to help us get there, because I see how such 
understanding enriches us all.  

We are One Campus, Many Voices.  On the Illinois campus we have students 
from every state in the nation and from 121 countries.  From Alabama to 
Washington; from Albania to Zambia. 

Here we welcome the individual.  Here we respect differences.  Diverse 
perspectives elevate us because they are informed and distinguished by 
race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, ability, class and 
nationality.  Here we practice the idea that every human life from every 
single country has equal value.  Here we can have that crucial 
conversation that begins with the simple question:  I want to know how you 
see the world? 

We believe that you don't create community by erasing conflict.  Instead, 
we believe this is where we push beyond boundaries.  We do not run from 
controversy.  But we must become more practiced at moving toward consensus.
 
As part of our One Campus effort, a new Inclusive Illinois campaign will 
carry us in the right direction--increasing awareness of rights and 
responsibilities across campus.  Many of you already have seen the 
compelling posters in the residence halls--posters that, in words and in 
pictures, speak to the ideal we envision, and set the stage for programs 
to be sponsored across campus this year.  We also will be extending our 
support and encouragement for the many enlightening and elevating events 
and activities developed by academic and cultural units, and registered 
student organizations--events that help us gain a deeper and more 
meaningful understanding of each other.  We encourage you to look for 
updated information on these activities and events, which we will make 
available to you at www.inclusiveillinois.uiuc.edu.

Additionally, there will be the Chancellor's Series on Critical 
Contemporary Issues with plans under way for a key lecture and forum to 
help us further explore the issue of difference--its historical roots and 
its lingering consequences.   

Our hope is to produce an ongoing dialogue.  We want to move toward 
reaching our most important goal--demonstrating Illinois leadership.  I 
think we have the opportunity to orchestrate something at Illinois that 
will resonate throughout the state and the nation.  

This campaign begins with you and with your willingness to embark with us 
on this remarkable journey.  One Campus, Many Voices.  Let yours be heard.

Very truly yours,

Richard Herman
Chancellor

This mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chancellor

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