Oregon Health & Science University has come out against a move by the administration of President Donald Trump against the consideration of race in college admissions.
A statement on OHSU’s website follows a similar one by the influential Association of American Medical Colleges. The administration has dropped guidance issued under former President Barack Obama that favored consideration of race in college admissions to promote affirmative action.
In its statement, Oregon's academic medical university said:
“OHSU is committed to attracting and developing a diverse community of individuals dedicated to advancing medicine and science and joins the AAMC in its concern that the Trump administration is signaling opposition to the ability of academic health centers to make admissions decisions consistent with furthering the goal of diversity.
The U.S. departments of Justice and Education recently announced that they are withdrawing administrative documents that, for a number of years, had explained the departments’ respective positions regarding the permissible framework for considering race and ethnicity, along with many other factors, in the admissions process.
At OHSU, we believe in the value of diversity in the recruitment, admissions, hiring, retention and promotion processes. Having a diverse physician, scientific and health care workforce is necessary in order to catalyze discovery of new treatments, provide the best care for our increasingly diverse patients, reduce disparities in health and health care, and optimize the health of all Oregonians. We strive to admit students and develop future faculty which will help us further those missions.
As such, OHSU will continue to support policies, practices and other efforts to build and strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion at our institution.”
OHSU has about 4,000 students in various degree programs in its schools of nursing, medicine, dentistry and other programs.
