Dear Marist Community,

Ensuring everyone has access to higher education and diverse learning environments is a longstanding and deeply held value at Marist College. It is also critical for society as a whole. Given this, I am deeply disappointed in today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that prohibits the use of race as one factor in a holistic college admissions process. 

In keeping with its founding mission and values, Marist has long sought to admit talented students utilizing an admissions process that considers a wide range of factors, with academic achievement, potential and special talents among them.

In addition, Marist has always and enthusiastically sought diversity in all its forms – race and ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, socioeconomic status, political persuasion, and geography, among many others. We best achieve our mission by opening our doors to all who can take full advantage of the rigorous and high-touch form of education that we offer. 

Let me be clear: every student Marist has ever admitted has earned their right to study here. In fact, as our student body has become more diverse in every way measurable, we’ve seen student quality increase across all dimensions. These are mutually reinforcing, not mutually exclusive, concepts, that have long been reflected in Marist’s mission to help students develop the intellect, character, and skills required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives. 

In addition, as the College has become more diverse, opportunities for learning have become richer for all. In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to work across differences and with others who hold different views and perspectives has never been more important. 

In the coming months, we will have more to say about our strategic vision for the future. To preview, Marist aims for nothing less than improving the world through education, and to do so by bringing Marist to the world, and the world to Marist. Upon initial review, today’s ruling makes it more difficult for us to do so. 

We will continue to digest the scope and implications of this decision. For now, one thing holds true: we will not retreat from our mission of making a Marist education accessible to anyone who can succeed here, and we will continue to pursue these goals to the greatest degree within the confines of the law and judicial precedent.

Kevin Weinman
President
Marist College