Oct. 12, 2017
Dear Campus Community,
Over the past several days, racist and hateful propaganda has surfaced on our campus as it has on hundreds of additional campuses across the country. The presence of this vile propaganda has illuminated the fears of injustice, intolerance and bigotry that so many of our students and our communities face every day.
Our Police Department has removed the flyers and an active investigation is underway. When we determine the source of this material, we will prosecute to the fullest extent possible.
As I have indicated on more than one occasion, our campus unambiguously denounces racist, sexist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, and hateful ideologies that diminish liberty for us all. Our University was built upon the notion that equity and inclusion are the only pathways to educational excellence and I intend to ensure that we realize that potential.
As a public university, we unequivocally support the democratic right of freedom of expression and will continue to provide opportunities to foster richer and deeper dialogue that models open expression and critical inquiry.
We will, however, not tolerate violence in any form and we will not allow outsiders or outliers to undermine our commitment to inclusive excellence. Our strength lies in our unity and it always will.
Sincerely,
Erika D. Beck, President