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Update from the Chancellor on the Free Expression Tunnel
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Chancellor’s Update on the Free Expression Tunnel
There is no question that there sometimes is tension between free speech and what our society and community will accept. Last Wednesday, after hate-filled words were left in the Free Expression Tunnel, our campus community responded in a show of unity against such racist attitudes.
While university processes continue to work to address matters related to this incident, some have asked for the names of the individuals involved and some have called for punishment without due process.
As Vice Chancellor Tom Stafford mentioned in his message to the campus on Sunday, there are federal and state laws in place that prohibit universities from disclosing information related to students and especially as the information relates to formal student conduct code issues and law enforcement investigative records.
Many of you have asked what the university can do to stop hate-filled speech on our campus. There are legal limits to our ability to make rules against such messages.
What we can and will do is continue to seek ways to broaden and deepen our constructive discussions on this important issue. I have asked Vice Chancellor Stafford, Student Body President Jay Dawkins, Associate Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Jose Picart to engage members of the campus community by leading a task force that will seek additional ways to support and encourage this dialogue on a continuing basis. I will issue the formal charge for the task force this week.
It is gratifying and reassuring that our campus community rallied at the Free Expression Tunnel last Wednesday and on the brickyard Thursday to say enough is enough. The point that should remain foremost in our minds is that our campus community’s unified and constructive response to this incident is more effective and forceful than any action law enforcement might take. As I mentioned in my original statement on this issue last Wednesday, it is important that we stand together and not let our differences divide us.