Affirming our institutional commitments

Dear Wake Forest community,

Welcome back from spring break. We hope each of you found time for the people and activities that bring you strength and joy. As we return to the daily routines of University life, we write to share how we continue to address the changes coming from the new administration in Washington, D.C., and the impact on higher education.

During the past two months, many Wake Forest students, staff, faculty and alumni, along with members of our neighboring communities and thousands of people across the U.S., have experienced life-changing interruptions. We cannot predict the long-range impacts on higher education, but we can expect additional executive orders, guidance from federal agencies, and other changes at the federal and state levels. During this period of uncertainty, it is important to affirm our shared Wake Forest commitments. 

While we continue to do our work in compliance with applicable laws and regulations,

• We will uphold Wake Forest’s mission. 
• We will champion Wake Forest students, faculty and staff in their learning, academic ambitions, research, scholarly pursuits, creative endeavors and professional journeys.
• We will advance our collective understanding and promotion of academic freedom and free expression.
• We will embrace all people, recognizing that education for all and research to benefit all are vital to advancing knowledge for the greater good.
• We will support our alumni in their lifelong pursuit of learning, including those impacted by recent federal changes, with career counseling and transition workshops.
• We will serve the broader communities in which we live, work and learn.

Let’s unite together in support of these shared commitments and in our shared purpose and values. 

Since January, Wake Forest leadership has actively and continuously engaged our elected officials, peer institutions, and associations to anticipate, understand and respond to federal actions. We established a cross-functional government affairs steering committee, guided by legal counsel, to provide us with updates and recommendations and to coordinate activity. We will continue to update those most directly impacted across the university in small-group meetings and issue-specific communications. This website also provides contact information and timely updates.

Our most important priority in these times of uncertainty is our people. We care about your academic and professional success and your personal wellbeing. Please let us know how we can support you.

Sincerely,

Susan R. Wente
President

Michele Gillespie
Provost

Jackie Travisano
Executive Vice President