Archived Information

Dear Friend of Education:

I am pleased to announce Many Paths, One Journey: Building One America, the U.S. Department of Education's initiative to promote both racial reconciliation and college opportunity. The initiative comprises two efforts during the month of October: the Campus Week of Dialogue, October 10 - 17, and National College Week, October 16 - 23. The initiative?s theme reflects both efforts, educating students on diversity-related issues and providing all students the opportunity to succeed.

Last year, we celebrated a very successful second annual Campus Week of Dialogue and the first-ever National College Week. We want to build on past success and encourage more participation in these activities on our country's college and university campuses and in communities. These activities provide tremendous opportunities for your participation.

The 1999 Campus Week of Dialogue supported President Clinton?s initiative for Building One America. This year, the third annual Campus Week of Dialogue will engage college and university communities across the nation in continued discussions of the complex issues of race and diversity. I have urged college presidents to work with their communities and organize activities such as the following during the week of October 10 - 17.

• Campus Town Hall Meetings on Race with students, faculty, and staff to discuss issues of race and diversity on campuses, in communities, or in society.

• Campus-Community Partnerships involving campus and community leaders in discussions of ways to work together to improve race relations.

• Meetings of Student Leaders convening student leaders from all races to discuss issues of race on campus and how to work together across racial lines.

• Community Service Projects to build and promote racial reconciliation in college and university neighborhoods.

• Other Campus Activities, including faculty lectures and discussions of racial issues, film presentations, and cultural festivals.

Last fall during the Campus Week of Dialogue, I challenged participating groups to commit to at least one project aimed at moving our country toward racial reconciliation. Approximately 700 colleges and universities responded and organized town hall meetings, faculty exchanges, student leadership activities, campus-university partnerships, and community service projects, to give a few examples. These efforts are important as America becomes more racially and ethnically diverse, and institutions of higher education play an essential role in reaching young people and bridging racial divides.

In 1999, over five hundred colleges and universities across the country participated in National College Week. This year we hope to double that number. We know that many young people still believe that higher education is financially out of reach because they lack an understanding of the resources available to help cover college costs. We also know that many more young people would be better prepared to do college level work if they began preparing for college earlier in their high school careers. I encourage you to join college presidents and others interested in promoting higher education opportunity through the following activities during the week of October 16 - 23:

• Personal Visits to High Schools and Middle Schools: Set aside some time from your own busy schedule to visit a high school or middle school of your choice and encourage young people to seek a college education. Having hundreds of college presidents and others who support college opportunity visit schools during National College Week will underscore the message that college is possible for many more young people.

• GEAR UP and TRIO Activities: Consider the opportunity National College Week provides for GEAR UP for College partnerships and TRIO programs to highlight the work they are doing to encourage and prepare disadvantaged middle and high school students to succeed in college. This year, all GEAR UP students are being recognized for their progress by receiving special 21^st Century Scholar certificates. President Clinton and I have signed the certificates, and many partnerships are holding special ceremonies to award these certificates.

• College Ambassadors: Consider the perspective and experience that visiting teams of college students could bring to high schools and middle schools during National College Week. College students themselves are some of the most effective spokespersons for the importance of starting early to prepare for higher education.

Enclosed are fact sheets on the Campus Week of Dialogue, National College Week, and preparing for college through our GEAR UP and TRIO programs. Also enclosed are registration forms to let us know how you plan to participate. For more information on the Campus Week of Dialogue, please contact Donald Conner (202/502-7818; donald_conner@ed.gov) or ReShone Moore (202/502-7893; reshone_moore@ed.gov). For more information on National College Week, please call the National College Week Hotline (202/401-4396) or email adam_ezring@ed.gov. Please also visit our Web sites at http://www.ed.gov/oneamerica/, http://www.ed.gov/campusdialogue/, and http://ed.gov/collegeweek/.

The Campus Week of Dialogue and National College Week can capture the attention of the American public, and highlight efforts to provide educational leadership in your community and state. The U.S. Department of Education will provide media support, publications and other assistance as part of this national effort. I urge you to become involved in Many Paths, One Journey: Building One America and look forward to your participation.

Yours sincerely,

Richard W. Riley