As of February 28, President Donald Trump has signed off on 75 executive orders, 21 of which the American Council on Education recognized as impacting higher education. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, Title VI, and Title IX are some of the focuses of these orders, and as Stockton is a university with inclusionary classes embedded in the undergraduate curriculum, the question of what is to happen to these courses arises.

Whether a student receives a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree, two courses in “Race and Racism Education” are required, as well as the following General Studies attributes: Arts, Historical Consciousness, Values/Ethics, and International/Multicultural. Likewise, many of Stockton’s club and student organizations revolve around race and identity. However, as the “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing” executive order and Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor’s “U.S. Department of Education Letter to Institutions of Higher Education” aim to eliminate DEI entirely, the fate of these programs seemingly hang in the balance.

In a February 27 email entitled “Standing Firm in Our Values,” Stockton University’s President Joe Bertolino issued a statement to the campus community about how these recent changes in federal policy will impact the school, if at all.

“Let me be clear,” said Bertolino, “Stockton University’s mission and values remain steadfast. Regardless of shifts in policy, our commitment to access, academic excellence, academic freedom, equity, and student success does not waver.”

Bertolino wrote that Stockton will not engage in “reactionary decision-making,” but instead will use “prudence, strategy, and a long-term perspective” to approach these changes. The upper administration will be “ensuring compliance while remaining focused on our core mission of educating students and serving our community.” However, if any policies require adjustments to be made to Stockton, they will be done so in ways that “uphold [the] values and that are in the best interests of the University.”

To acknowledge the uncertainty of students, faculty, and staff, Bertolino disclosed that his administration has been working in tandem with the Board of Trustees, senior leadership, and Faculty Senate to “navigate this moment together.” Bertolino and countless other university presidents have also met with the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education to “address broader institutional impacts and strategic planning.” Simultaneously, general counsels of New Jersey’s public institutions have been meeting with the Attorney General to consider the legalities of these policies. He stated that these leaders of higher education are working together, nary the influence of outside pressure and speculation.

“At Stockton, our Ethic of Care isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we live,” said Bertolino, “[every] member of this community deserves dignity, respect, kindness, compassion, and civility.” He expressed that these values should not be spontaneously changed, but rather defended no matter the circumstance.

Bertolino concluded the email by stating that “[difficult] conversations are not something to avoid; they are essential to the academic experience.” For about fifty-six years, Stockton has been an institution that Bertolino is proud to say has successfully supported this principle of civil and respectful discourse, and he does not foresee this changing.

Students, staff, faculty, and all community members are encouraged to attend Bertolino’s Town Hall event happening on Thursday, March 6 at 4:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Theatre. “[Bring] your questions, and engage in open, meaningful dialogue,” Bertolino said, as he believes that only then can the community unite and move forward.

Sources:

Federal Register of the National Archives