Vassar’s mission is to make accessible “the means of a thorough, well-proportioned and liberal education”* that inspires each individual to lead a purposeful life.*From the College’s First Annual Catalogue
Founded in 1861 to provide women an education equal to that once available only to men, Vassar is now open to all and, as part of its mission statement, “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.”
The College’s commitment to these values is embedded in our educational policies, which balance freedom of inquiry, informed debate, and expressions of dissent and protest with respect for all persons. In addition, the College’s Engaged Pluralism program brings students, faculty, and other employees together in working groups to spearhead innovative programming that makes our campus a better place to live, learn, and work.
Our Definitions
We recognize that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion have become highly charged terms in our current environment. Our understanding of these terms, however, is based solely on our commitment to advancing a liberal arts education in which all students, faculty, employees, and alums feel a sense of belonging and have the resources to thrive.
Progress
Though Vassar has made great strides over the past decades to embody these values, the path has not always been easy or straightforward (see, for example, the 1969 takeover of Main Building by thirty-four Black female students). Indeed, living up to these values requires regular reflection on our institutional practices and assumptions, sustained dialogue among all members of the community, and reckoning with the College’s own histories of exclusion, including the displacement of indigenous peoples from the land on which the College is located. Our efforts to live up to our values remains a work in progress, and we invite all community members to contribute to making Vassar—and the world—a better, more equitable and just place for everyone to thrive.
Campus Climate
Vassar is committed to working toward a more just, diverse, equitable, and inclusive college community where all members feel valued and are fully empowered to claim a place in—and responsibility for—working, living, and learning together.
We believe that social difference is an essential aspect of a strong community. Collaborating across such differences, a concept at the very core of Vassar’s values, is necessary for social transformation and critical for the well-being of any community and its members. At the same time, we realize that conflicts around social differences arise from time to time in any diverse community. When students are affected by incidents related to their social identities, the Social Identity Harm (SIH) Team of advocates can provide support and gather data for further understanding. lf any conduct rises to a potential hate crime, unlawful discrimination, harassment, or violation of College expectations, the case will also be referred to law enforcement, the Office for Institutional Equity, or another appropriate campus office.
When any incident or series of incidents adversely influences the campus climate, the College will update the community and the steps to repair the harm. Campus climate updates and steps will be collected on the Campus Climate Group website where you can also learn more about the group.
Visit the Campus Climate Group website for updates.
Initiatives
Engaged Pluralism
A program dedicated to bringing faculty, students, and administrators together to raise questions around inclusion and belonging, and to create programming to make our campus a better place to live, learn, and work.
Vassar Inclusive History Initiative
An initiative to engage our community broadly to research, document, and make publicly accessible the history of Vassar with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Employee Communities
Voluntary, employee-initiated, groups of employees (faculty, staff, and administrator) that share common interests, identities, backgrounds, dimensions of diversity and/or pursuits.
Decolonizing Vassar
Documentation of Vassar’s efforts to build and sustain relationships with Native communities; expand opportunities for Native students, Native faculty and other employees.
Engaged Pluralism | Vassar Inclusive History Initiative | Employee Communities | Decolonizing Vassar
Reporting
Vassar College takes seriously all reports about possible violations of its Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct. The Office for Institutional Equity reviews all reports to determine whether there is evidence that a violation of our policy may have occurred. In such cases, the Title VI Coordinator informs the harmed party of available resources on- and off-campus as well as resolution options that can include a College investigation, informal resolution (mediation), or an administrative hearing.
Even when a preliminary investigation finds that hateful and demeaning speech is protected as free speech and does not constitute a violation of our policies, the College works with affected individuals to provide supportive measures. Vassar also uses these reports to regularly assess the broader campus climate and take necessary steps to identify and end a hostile environment, remedy its effects, and prevent its recurrence.
If you have concerns regarding physical safety, or to report a crime,
- Call #911 and
- Contact Campus Safety, (845) 437-7333 any time of the day or night for emergency assistance or (845) 437-5221 for non-emergency matters.
- Emergency Blue Light phones are located throughout campus and can be used for contacting Campus Safety.
Report acts of discrimination or harassment, including those based on Title VI, by contacting the Office for Institutional Equity. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours). Someone from the Office for Institutional Equity will contact the reporting party ordinarily within 24 business hours.
- Submit online at go.vassar.edu/report-discrimination.
- To schedule an appointment with someone from the Institutional Equity team, call (845) 437-7924 or send an email to equity@vassar.edu.
Issued: August 26, 2024
Revised: September 29, 2025
Diversity means bringing together people with a variety of social backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The pursuit of diversity involves recognizing and valuing those differences.
Equity is the commitment to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, “whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances.” This ongoing process requires us to “identify and overcome intentional and unintentional barriers arising from bias or systemic structures.
Inclusion provides diverse groups equitable access to opportunities and resources and ensures that all community members belong and are valued.