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Dear fellow Warriors, Last April, a group from outside the Wayne State community visited campus and engaged in speech and behavior that is antithetical to our values as an inclusive and welcoming community. We noted at the time that as a public university, these outsiders were legally permitted to profess their views, however repugnant, provided they did not violate the law or our policies. We also reminded the campus community that we live in a country where speech and expression is Constitutionally protected, and we attend or work at a university that encourages open dialogue and debate, even on topics some feel are off-limits. We met with students several times after this incident and committed to certain actions should similar incidents arise. First, we committed to informing students if we were aware of the possibility of controversial campus visitors. Yesterday, we were informed that the same group that visited last April will be returning to campus on Monday, Sept. 18. In addition to timely communications, we committed to students that we would:
All of these will be done. In addition the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement (OMSE) will be holding space for reflection and dialogue throughout the day on Monday. There will be signage at the Student Center entrances with information on room locations for these resources. We anticipate this group’s abhorrent views will be unchanged, and that they will attempt to provoke negative responses and even violence from onlookers. I urge you to resist the temptation. In situations like this we have choices. These agitators are choosing to exercise their Constitutional rights by engaging in hateful speech. You can exercise your rights, too. You can offer a different point of view, respectfully and passionately. You can stage your own event, and demonstrate the welcoming and inclusive behavior we try to model at Wayne State. You can walk away, or you choose to avoid them completely, which would be a fitting response considering the messages we anticipate. You can take any number of other actions as well, provided they are legal and within policy. What you cannot do, however, is engage in violence or behaviors that will incite others to violence. This is the goal of some of these groups, and this one in particular. But if we become violent, they win. I have been so proud of the maturity and wisdom shown by our students at similar events. Through our positive actions, we demonstrate our values, and diminish by our example the repulsive behavior that seeks to tear down what we have built. In such cases, we win. With Warrior spirit and pride, |
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