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UNE's Office of Admissions has joined more than 300 colleges and universities across the country in signing a collective statement of caring and compassion for students during the coronavirus pandemic.

The statement was developed by Turning the Tide, an initiative of the Making Caring Common project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, in collaboration with admission leaders.

According to the statement, admission and enrollment leaders recognize that the institutions they represent send signals that can shape students’ priorities and experiences throughout high school. They are keenly aware that students across the country and the world are experiencing many uncertainties and challenges.

The statement spells out what the institutions value in the areas of student self-care, academic work, service and contributions to others, family contributions, and extracurricular and summer activities.

“The 91ֱ����ƵOffice of Admissions supports the efforts of Turning the Tide, which underscore our commitment to equity and the encouragement of students’ self-care, balance, meaningful learning, and care for others,” stated Scott Steinberg, B.A., M.B.A., vice president of University Admissions. “We are proud to join other admissions offices across the country in endorsing this statement from Turning the Tide.”

UNE's Office of Admissions endorsed the initial Turning the Tide report in 2016. The report provided concrete recommendations to reshape the college admissions process, by promoting greater ethical engagement among aspiring students, reducing excessive achievement pressure, and leveling the playing field for economically disadvantaged students.

As part of its commitment to modify its admissions process, 91ֱ����Ƶwill pilot a test-blind policy for undergraduate admissions during the upcoming academic year (2020-21) under which most applicants’ SAT and ACT scores will not be considered among criteria for college acceptance.

“That will remove an unnecessary and highly stressful barrier for students,” Steinberg said.

The policy is an expansion of the University’s current test-optional policy, launched in 2018, which resulted in the largest and most ethnically diverse freshman class in 91ֱ����Ƶhistory without any reduction in academic quality.