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Home > About NC State > Chancellor > Speeches and Writings > 2008 > Report from the Chancellor to the Campus (11/14/08)Report from the Chancellor to the Campus (11/14/08)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Chancellor’s Report to the Campus
In the last few days, there have been many discussions about the racist statements written in the Free Expression Tunnel after the November 4 elections. I appreciate the many different perspectives that have been voiced on this emotionally charged issue. The broad discussion we have had speaks to the strength of our campus and the community in which we live and work.
I have heard some misconceptions about the incident and about university processes. It’s important that you know the facts.
Campus safety is a top priority at NC State, so I speak to that point first. Let me reassure you that NC State remains a safe campus, and I say that for two reasons. First, federal authorities investigated this incident and determined that the individuals involved did not present a threat to the president-elect. Second, the university has conducted a formal threat assessment of its own and concluded that the individuals involved in this incident do not pose a threat to our campus safety. NC State’s Risk Management and Threat Assessment process has been utilized for more than a year and is a national model among colleges and universities.
NC State also has many other safety-related resources, including one of the few accredited campus police departments in the country, an extensive network of call boxes and emergency alert tools, after-hours escorts and regular safety education opportunities. The UNC System has made campus safety a top budget priority, which has allowed us to add counselors and case managers and other safety resources.
It’s important that we all understand that while what was written on the tunnel walls was hateful, racist language, federal and local authorities have concluded that it was not a crime.
Although there have been requests for information, it is important to understand that the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the state public records law prohibit universities from disclosing information related to student records and law enforcement investigative records.
With respect to campus climate and diversity, NC State is a proudly diverse campus with many resources to support and encourage that diversity. Some of you have suggested we should take this opportunity to add to our diversity resources. Even before this incident, we had begun revising our General Education Plan. Part of that revision, set to take effect in the second summer session of 2009, is a required diversity component. As it will be part of the general education requirements, most students will take the diversity course in their first or second year on campus.
In addition to our ongoing formal and informal discussions on this topic, I have asked a diverse task force of students, staff and faculty to assess and recommend improvements in three general aspects of our campus: our campus climate, our Student Conduct Code, and our Free Expression Tunnel/Brickyard practices. The task force will deliver preliminary recommendations by January 16 and a final report by February 2. I assure you it will be taken seriously.
Our campus has shown a strong, unified reaction to this incident. There have been rallies, forums, meetings, and impromptu and planned general discussions of the issues. Town hall meetings and diversity dialogues also are planned in the coming days. As I have said in my earlier statements, these conversations help to ensure that we stand together as a community and do not let our differences divide us.