Dear Roosevelt Community,

In light of the recent escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine, we, as members of the Roosevelt University community, stand united in our commitment to peace, justice, and human rights.

The events unfolding in the region are deeply concerning and we condemn all acts of violence and aggression that have led to loss of life, suffering, and displacement. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this crisis, and we extend our sympathies to their families and communities.

We firmly believe in the power of education and dialogue to foster understanding and empathy among different cultures and perspectives. As an institution dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, inclusivity, and global citizenship, we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting resolution.

For those of our community in need of counseling support, please utilize Roosevelt’s free counseling services, available 24/7 via TimelyCare. The Dean of Students Office will be organizing talking circles facilitated by licensed mental health counselors. Dates and times will be shared with the community once finalized.

We encourage members of our community to engage in informed discussions, promote mutual understanding, and seek avenues for constructive action.

Warm Regards,

Ali R. Malekzadeh, Ph.D.
President

Dear Roosevelt Community,

From its earliest inception, America has been a nation of many peoples from all corners of the globe, so it is hard to imagine how diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have become so controversial. It is tempting to dismiss this as political posturing, but the debate over DEI is part of a more foundational debate over issues such as fairness and even about what it means to be American.

Today’s Supreme Court decision on affirmative action will, without doubt, interrupt our nation’s efforts to make higher education more accessible and equitable. The decision overturns long-standing precedent and limits universities’ ability to consider race as an express factor in admissions.

Affirmative action was initially justified based on the idea that diversity was a valuable goal to seek in creating a student body. From the start, though, many resisted—sometimes violently—to that idea. In a 2003 decision that narrowly upheld affirmative action, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, our first female Supreme Court justice, wrote, “We expect that 25 years from now, the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary to further the interest [in student body diversity] approved today.”

Many people in our nation clearly agree with that idea. I believe her view is far too short-sighted. It is all too easy to fall back into tribalism and narrow-minded views about identity. These are important discussions, although as a professor who spent many years in the classroom, I do wish we could talk to each other in a spirit of generosity and open-mindedness, rather than the angry and divisive tone that pervades so many of our political debates today.

In the midst of all of this heated rhetoric, I think it’s very easy to forget about the most important piece of all of this—the actual students who are most directly affected by these policies. And when we focus on the students, the very real benefits of DEI initiatives come to the forefront of the political baggage that has been tied to DEI policies.

Roosevelt was founded in 1945 out of protest to the racial, religious and gender-based segregation that dominated colleges and universities. For seventy-eight years, Roosevelt has sought to break down barriers and provide education to those previously excluded. I’m not sure how many years will be enough to create a nation that fully embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, but I know these values are worth fighting for. We at Roosevelt will continue to fight for them and do our best to live up to them.

With warm regards,
Ali R. Malekzadeh, Ph.D.
President

To the Roosevelt Community,

Seventy-seven years ago this month, on November 15, 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt dedicated Roosevelt College “to the enlightenment of the human spirit.”At that time, she also told the crowd of over 1,000 that:

Here in this great city you have many, many races, many religions and in Roosevelt College those races and those religions will meet. They will work together, and it will be an example of what can be achieved by cooperation.

I am writing to reaffirm Roosevelt’s historic commitment to creating a safe and welcoming community for every one of our students, staff, faculty, trustees, alumni and friends during an unsettling time of rising antisemitism at universities across the country.

From our beginnings, Roosevelt University has strongly opposed bigotry, hatred and discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity and gender. We were founded to protest racist admissions quotas limiting the number of Jewish and Black students at Chicago’s YMCA College and other universities in Chicago and nationwide.

Roosevelt has always been proud of pioneering a diverse academic community that has from the beginning included Jewish professors, students, administrators, staff and trustees. Many who came to Roosevelt in the early years were not welcome at many other universities, but Roosevelt was there for them and continues its commitment to inclusion today.

We are positioned to be examples of how to create real change that results in a more just, inclusive society. Inclusion is at the core of Roosevelt’s legacy, and we do not discriminate based on one’s religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, economic status, ethnicity, disability, national origin, or veteran or familial status. Let’s reflect on the challenges ahead of us and how we can facilitate change to make our university and communities a safer world for all.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

With Warm Regards,

Ali R. Malekzadeh, Ph.D.
President

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am very excited to announce that we have a new Interim Chief Advancement Officer and Vice President of University Relations joining the Roosevelt community. Julia Brady will begin her interim six-month position effective October 5, 2022, and will be responsible for providing day-to-day strategic oversight for our advancement efforts, leading development and alumni initiatives and assisting with board governance. Julia is an education leader with extensive alumni engagement, advancement communications, board relations and brand marketing experience—having worked at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Studies and with several higher education consulting clients. Please join me in welcoming Julia when you see her on campus.

Additionally, Jared Fritz McCarty has been promoted to Assistant Vice President of Advancement along with Keelie Johnson to Associate Director of Development and Dustin Price as Business Analyst and Prospect Researcher.

As shared with you in early July, Nicole Barron will now be responsible for leading the enrollment management division as well as serving as head of the department of Marketing and Communications. A few additional and important organizational changes in enrollment management include Michelle Stipp, Assistant Vice President, who is now responsible for admission, financial aid, international and adult education recruitment. To complement her additional responsibilities, Michelle Hayes has been promoted to Director of Financial Aid. Jazmine Ross has moved into the role of Executive Director of Enrollment Systems and Operations and Erica Poremba is now Executive Director of Academic Partnerships. Mike Kaluzny, Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications, will oversee the day-to-day management of the marketing team.

This structure allows for a new integrated approach that will build on student-focused fundraising efforts for scholarships and programs that increase access and attract a diversity of students. Part of this new structure includes working in tandem with academic affairs to create the Adult Continuing Education Program and Veterans Resource Center, while evolving the success of partnerships with community colleges. In addition, an Enrollment, Marketing and Retention Resource Group will be formed and launched in mid-October, involving many representatives from across the University. More information about this will be presented at the University Town Hall on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. in Ida B. Wells Hall.

I appreciate your continued leadership and support as we navigate through the next year. Together we will build a stronger University.

With Warm Regards,

Ali R. Malekzadeh, Ph.D.
President

Dear Roosevelt Faculty and Staff,

The University leadership and Board of Trustees have announced new tuition rates for the 2023–2024 academic year. These rates are part of our overall Enrollment Growth Strategy, and just as importantly, will reinforce the University’s mission of social justice and the historical diversity of its undergraduate enrollment. We know that inflation and COVID are hurting families’ finances, and these new tuition rates may provide relief.

The Board of Trustees has approved tuition rates for fiscal year 2023–2024 as follows:

Non-CCPA full-time undergraduate

• $20,000. This is a 40% reduction of the 2022–2023 published tuition rate of $33,068 for this student population.

CCPA undergraduate and graduate

• $29,000. This is over 30% reduction of the 2022–2023 published price of $41,530 (undergraduate), and $42,321 (graduate).

Our goals have and always will be to create access to higher education, open gateways to the American Dream, and remove barriers to earning a degree. We are opening doors by recognizing students may have financial needs, and that affordability is a significant factor in their college consideration and eventual enrollment choice. We hope to inspire prospective new freshmen and transfer students, specifically, to include Roosevelt in their college selection process and to submit their application for Fall 2023—because it is affordable and attainable.

While the new tuition rates will not affect currently enrolled students’ pricing, the board has put in place a no-tuition increase for the 2023–2024 academic year. Additionally, any Roosevelt scholarships that students are currently receiving would remain in place for the duration of their current degree program as a full-time student. Of course, federal and state assistance can change based on a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. That being said, most current undergraduate students have received a favorable financial aid offer.

The Office of Financial Aid Services will be contacting students following the submission of their 2023–2024 FAFSA, and will work with them to ensure their degree path to graduation remains both equitable and affordable.

Roosevelt offers the benefits of a unique, transformational, private education experience in a world class city at a tuition rate comparable to public institutions. We will continue to find ways to support our commitment to Roosevelt’s founding mission, expanding inclusivity, diversity and access. It is the bedrock of our culture—and it is the right thing to do.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions. For tuition-specific questions, please refer to the FAQ or email fas@roosevelt.edu.

With Warm Regards,

Ali R. Malekzadeh, Ph.D.
President