This statement was drafted by a subcommittee of the Association's Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure and approved by Committee A at its June 2024 meeting. The Association views the use of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) criteria in faculty recruitment, promotion, and retention as within the broader vision of higher education for the public good. Such criteria are one instrument among many that may contribute to evaluating the full range of faculty skills and achievements within a diverse community of students and scholars. Some critics contend that such policies run afoul of the principles of academic freedom. This committee rejects the notion that the use of DEI criteria for faculty evaluation is categorically incompatible with academic freedom. To the contrary, when implemented appropriately in accordance with sound standards of faculty governance, DEI criteria--including DEI statements-- can be a valuable component in the efforts to recruit, hire, and retain a diverse faculty with a breadth of skills needed for excellence in teaching, research, and service.