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Dear Colleagues,  

Last week, President Schill and Provost Hagerty sent a message explaining that Northwestern is making changes to protect our University community due to the Executive Order and U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) guidance on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Given the February 28 deadline, the Law School, like the University, has taken down some websites to give us time to thoughtfully work on next steps. 

In their message, President Schill and Provost Hagerty reaffirmed our University's commitment to “attract and support exceptional students, faculty and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and geographies who will learn from one another and contribute to research that changes the world.” They also emphasized that “it is important for all members of our community to feel that they belong here and thereby can flourish and do their best work.” 

Our Law School’s commitment to advancing these values in accordance with law and to the critical importance of access to education and opportunity remains steadfast. Law matters deeply in our society, and our faculty, students, staff, and alumni make a tremendous difference through their work. At this time of polarization and change, law schools have a crucial role to play in addressing important societal challenges, advancing greater justice and access to justice, and supporting the rule of law. The protections of the First Amendment and academic freedom underpin our Law School’s groundbreaking research and its innovative teaching, and that work is enhanced by our having community members who bring different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.  

When our outstanding Northwestern Pritzker Law students take their pledge of professionalism at the beginning of law school, they commit “to service without prejudice, integrity without compromise, and to civility and professionalism” and to “promote the principles of justice.” As our legal system works to resolve the constitutionality of the Executive Order and OCR guidance, this duty remains a core obligation of every lawyer, law school, and legal institution.  

Sincerely,
Hari Osofsky

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