Key Issues at UD
The University of Delaware occasionally receives inquiries regarding the institution’s response to a range of issues and current events in the world—those that are both related and unrelated to the University. In lieu of issuing official campus statements, this page and the following information will offer clarity and context on institutional perspective regarding several of the most common subjects of inquiry, and provide access to related University policies and links to other relevant resources and materials.
Higher education leaders are asked to comment publicly on wide-ranging and complex issues that are often global and/or political in scope. As one of the nation’s top-ranked universities and leading research institutions, UD acknowledges that the voices of its President and senior leaders are significant and relevant to the campus community in providing clear, credible and inclusive messaging. Beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, and moving forward, leadership and institutional statements will be reserved for communicating about matters directly related to the University’s core function and mission.
A UD education prepares students for impactful lives as empowered citizens in their communities and their professions. We strive to maintain the high quality of our educational experience while working to control costs amid significant financial pressures that include inflation and rising expenses. The University is committed to offering significant financial aid to students and creating programs that support enrollment and retention. These include the First State Promise program, which covers full tuition for Delawareans with family incomes of less than $75,000, and the enhancement of UD’s Associate in Arts Program. The latter, when combined with the state SEED scholarship, enables Delawareans to complete their first two years of a bachelor’s degree, and potentially a third year, for free. In addition, more than 470 new undergraduate scholarships have been funded by the record-breaking Delaware First campaign.
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The availability and use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education create both significant opportunities and challenges to teaching, learning and research. AI has the potential to forever alter how we communicate, develop new skills and acquire information. The University of Delaware aims to be a national leader in the use of AI in higher education. As such, UD has established the AI for Teaching and Learning Working Group. This multi-disciplinary working group, charged by the Provost, fully investigates AI’s applications across campus and in traditional and non-traditional learning environments, as well as provides guidance on the creation of new policies and practices related to AI, necessary adaptations to existing ones, and opportunities in curricular and interdisciplinary advancements.
As one of its foremost priorities, the University of Delaware fosters an environment where people can feel safe to learn, work, live and visit. We offer access to safety training and education programs, safe ride and shuttle services, and real-time information through the UD Alert system and the LiveSafe mobile app. We regularly enhance our resources, including campus lighting and security cameras, to keep Blue Hens safe. The University of Delaware Police Department offers 24/7 staffing support, 365 days annually. Contact UD Police if you witness suspected criminal activity or see suspicious behavior.
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UD values its relationship with the City of Newark. The state’s identification of a funding source that will provide the City of Newark with a $2 million payment in lieu of taxes for this coming budget cycle is the result of a months-long collaboration, with productive conversations amongst a delegation from the University of Delaware, state and local elected officials and our many city partners. We are certain of the positive impact this PILOT funding will create for our city and our neighbors.
The University of Delaware is committed to recruiting, supporting, and valuing a diverse student body and workforce. We invite and value different backgrounds, perspectives and learning experiences in our community.
Exposure to views and cultures other than one’s own is essential for educating global citizens, developing knowledge and advancing and enhancing our world through a civil and respectful exchange of ideas. Varied opinions challenge our assumptions, enable a deeper understanding of our differences and promote our personal and collective intellectual breadth.
Diversity is critical to the advancement of our academic pursuits and research, as well as meeting our institutional mission. We prioritize training and accountability to better educate our community on anti-discrimination, implicit bias, cultural sensitivity and other topics, with the goal of improving organizational climate and delivering a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
In regard to hiring, the University follows all employment labor practices at the state and federal levels and does not make hiring decisions based on race, gender or other protected classifications.
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The University of Delaware provides a wide range of medical treatment services, referrals and resources to support the health and wellness needs of our students. We appreciated the opportunity to discuss Senate Bill 301 with its sponsor, Senator Kyle Evans Gay. Our Student Health Center is committed to supporting all students to ensure they receive optimal care from appropriately resourced providers.
The University of Delaware unequivocally condemns terrorism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia and all acts and forms of hate. Calls for genocide or violence against any members of our University community are antithetical to our University mission and in violation of University policy. We will always work with our community, in particular our registered student organizations, to create spaces for reflection and dialogue. We join our voice with others around the world who are advocating for a peaceful end to the suffering and tragic loss of life.
The University of Delaware, as a tax-exempt institution, is prohibited by federal law from engaging in political activities, including supporting or opposing candidates for public office. This restriction ensures the University maintains its tax-exempt status and remains neutral in political matters. To comply with these regulations, the University does not participate in or endorse political campaigns. Individual members of the UD community are welcome to endorse and campaign for candidates as private citizens, but they must not do so on University time or using University resources. When expressing personal political opinions, individuals must avoid creating the impression that they are speaking in their capacity as a University employee or on the University’s behalf.
Nonpartisan political activities offered by the University such as properly organized voter registration activities, voter education programs, and candidate debates may be permissible if they do not endorse or oppose any particular party or candidate. In order to ensure that all legal and University requirements are followed, advance approval for these events — even those offered in virtual formats — must be obtained from (and all materials must be reviewed by) the University’s Office of the Executive Vice President, which will provide further guidance to the organizer, if necessary. Specific questions about political activity should be directed to the University’s Office of General Counsel at (302) 831-7366 or [email protected].
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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., donated his Senatorial papers to the University of Delaware, his alma mater, pursuant to an agreement that prohibits the University from providing public access to those papers until they have been properly processed and archived. The Senatorial papers represent UD’s largest archival collection; the comprehensive and thorough archiving process is time-intensive and has not been completed. Until the archival process is complete and the collection is opened to the public, access is only available with President Biden’s express consent.
In November 2023, University of Delaware Athletics accepted an invitation to join Conference USA as a full member, effective July 1, 2025. As part of this announcement, Blue Hens football announced its transition to the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the sport’s highest level of NCAA competition. All financial investments that are required for these transitions have been fully funded through philanthropy. No University subsidies have been used to fund these moves. The University anticipates that UD Athletics will benefit from increased revenues as a result of these transitions, through a combination of conference media revenue distribution, guarantee games, sponsorships, and financial support from donors and fans.
The United States Supreme Court in June 2023 overturned legal precedent that had been recognized and upheld for more than two decades, one with the potential to change admissions policies employed by colleges and universities nationwide. The University of Delaware reaffirms its commitment to attracting, welcoming and supporting diverse student populations on our campuses. We are committed to extending our robust work with local and national partners, including our network of community-based organizations, in order to introduce future diverse Blue Hens to our University. We will always focus on providing a pathway to a University of Delaware degree that is equally accessible for all. At UD, we are providing students with life experiences that will impact where and how they work and live. We sharpen students’ intellectual curiosity, equip them with critical thinking skills, and nurture their respect for the views and values of themselves and others. Diversity of all kinds enhances our teaching, learning, and scholarship. Put simply, diversity makes the University of Delaware stronger.