Department of Education

February 27, 2025

Dear all,

I am writing to update the campus in the context of the Department of Education’s recent correspondence, which was sent on February 14 to all K–12 and higher education institutions. The letter reminded institutions of federal anti-discrimination law—that one cannot confer or withhold educational benefits on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Vassar has always taken seriously its obligation to abide by federal and state anti-discrimination laws and will continue to do so.

To remind ourselves, the Vassar mission, found on page six of the Governance, is as follows: “The mission of Vassar College is to make accessible the means of a thorough, well-proportioned and liberal education that inspires each individual to lead a purposeful life. The College makes possible an education that promotes analytical, informed, and independent thinking and sound judgment; encourages articulate expression; and nurtures intellectual curiosity, creativity, respectful debate and engaged citizenship. Vassar supports a high standard of engagement in teaching and learning, scholarship and artistic endeavor; a broad and deep curriculum; and a residential campus that fosters a learning community. Founded in 1861 to provide women an education equal to that once available only to men, Vassar is now open to all and strives to pursue diversity, inclusion, and equity as essential components of a rich intellectual and cultural environment in which all members, including those from underrepresented and marginalized groups, are valued and empowered to thrive.” Our efforts in Engaged Pluralism help us fulfill our mission and are essential to keeping all educational opportunities open to everyone.

We should be proud of this mission to make this education accessible to all, and we remain committed to our values and our work together. I will keep you updated as more unfolds from the Department of Education, and if you have questions, please let me know.

Additionally, as I presented in this week’s administrative and staff forums and the faculty meeting, my trips to Washington D.C. as part of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities revealed several concerns that we are actively monitoring and assessing. These include the potential for a larger endowment tax Vassar may face as well as possible loss of research funding from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation, among other risks. In my visits with elected officials and staff members, I advocated for higher education and the substantial positive impact we have on the community—putting $435 million and 2,500 jobs into Dutchess County annually. Additionally, we continue to be need blind and meet full demonstrated financial need for students and have far higher-than average graduation rates, lower debt, and strong post-graduation employment and graduate school numbers. Our collaborations through the Office of Community Engaged Learning, the Preserve, the Vassar Education Collaboration, and Exploring Transfer—to name just a few—continue to show our deep commitment to this community.

Even as higher education is being criticized and faces some future risks, it is most important during this time that we focus on the meaningful, important work we do as students, faculty, administrators, and staff. Education is the bedrock of a free and just society; let us continue our efforts to open educational opportunities for all and work toward a better collective future. Again, if you have questions, please be in touch.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar