Vice President Dana speaks with Press Herald about UMaine’s commitment to diversity, inclusion

Robert Dana, the University of Maine’s vice president for student life and dean of students, spoke with the Portland Press Herald for the article, “Maine colleges defend emphasis on diversity in response to report of Trump initiative.” Maine college and university officials are defending their commitment to diversity in response to reports that the Trump administration plans to investigate, and possibly sue, educational institutions over admissions policies that federal officials view as discriminating against white applicants, the article states. Dana said UMaine is committed to making students from all ethnic, racial, religious and other backgrounds feel welcome despite any specific policies. That commitment to diversity has not reduced the number of programs available to white students, he said. “We know that people from diverse backgrounds help us think more broadly and expose us to different cultural standards that help us see the world different,” Dana said. Despite not considering race in admissions, UMaine makes an effort to diversify its student body, the Press Herald reported, citing a statement on the UMaine website that affirms a commitment to diversity in the staff and student body and says one of its goals is to “increase the percentage of undergraduate and graduate students of color.”