UC Academic Leaders Issue Letter on Issues

Over the weekend, I received a copy of a statement headed by UC President Mark G. Yudof, the Chancellors of the ten UC campuses, and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Universitywide Academic Senate.  I thought it was interesting something you should know about.  Here is what it said:

February 26, 2010

As leaders of the University of California, we are deeply disturbed by recent events at a few of our campuses.  We condemn all acts of racism, intolerance and incivility. Regardless of how such offenses are rationalized, or what free speech rights they purport to express, the acts we have witnessed are unacceptable. The actions of these individuals reflect neither our principles nor our values, nor the sentiments of the University of California community. We will not allow the actions of a few to speak for this University. We denounce them.

Each of our campuses is committed to promoting and defending a learning environment that values and supports each student, faculty and staff member in an atmosphere that is open, civil, fair, caring and respectful. These values are enshrined in the “Principles of Community” each campus adheres to and that clearly outline our expectations for behavior on our campuses. We expect that all members of our university community, including our visitors, will be respectful of differing views, opinions, experiences, and background.

When violations occur, it is incumbent on us, as leaders and as stewards of free speech on our campuses,

to push back. We have a responsibility to speak out against activities that promote intolerance or undermine civil dialogue.  As always, the remedy for bad speech is good speech. For that reason, we call on all members of the UC community – students, faculty and staff – to affirm and defend the values of the University of California. We are speaking out and ask that you do the same whenever, wherever and however you confront behavior that violates the principles and values of this University.

The Following people signed the document:

Mark G. Yudof, President, University of California

Henry Powell, Chair, UC Academic Senate

Daneil Simmons, Vice Chair, UC Academic Senate

Robert J. Birgeneau, Chancellor, UC Berkeley

Linda P.B. Katehi, Chancellor, UC Davis

Michael V. Drake, M.D., Chancellor, UC Irvine

Gene Block, Chancellor, UC Los Angeles

Steve Kang, Chancellor, UC Merced

Timothy P. White, Chancellor, UC Riverside

Marye Anne Fox, Chancellor, UC San Diego

Susan Desmond-Hellmann, Chancellor, UC San Francisco

Henry T. Yang, Chancellor, UC Santa Barbara

George Blumenthal, Chancellor, UC Santa Cruz