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Campus PeriodicalsResources for ReportersSelected Administrative OfficesCalendarsMaintained by pioweb@ucsc.edu |
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Administrative Message October 14, 2005 To: UCSC Staff Members From: David S. Kliger, Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Re: Message from Campus Provost KligerDear Colleagues, As campus employees and community members, we must find ways to provide opportunities for discussion regarding the principles of academic freedom, free speech and civil discourse. We must discourage the use of confrontation and violence and ensure that all community members can live and work freely without fear of intimidation or physical harm. Together, we must consider creative ways to engage our campus community in activities that provide opportunities for expression in ways that uphold our Principles of Community (http://www.ucsc.edu/about/principles_community.asp). I bring this issue to your attention now because you may not be aware that the last academic year was marked by a series of incidents that were not consistent with these principles. I was hopeful that after the summer break we would not see a recurrence of such incidents in the fall quarter. Unfortunately there is reason to believe that this may not be the case. I have deliberated on the wisdom of sending this message. I have consulted with a diverse group of our faculty and staff colleagues and have given their advice very serious consideration. I have decided that it is important to inform you of some of the most disturbing incidents that occurred last year and enlist your support in finding ways to ensure that the past is not repeated. It is not my intention to link these inappropriate acts to the events of important political and social protest that occurred last spring. It is unfortunate that the timeframe makes it difficult to separate the two issues, but I believe it is important that we do so. 4/5 - At the Career Fair, a protest resulted in serious injury to a student intern that required surgery. Military recruiter vehicle tires were slashed and theft of personal equipment was reported. 4/19 - Windows were broken and tires of family members' cars were slashed at a Provost's private residence. Tires were slashed on police and university vehicles; a window was broken in the Chancellor's Office. 5/5 - A dozen people arrived uninvited at the chancellor's private residence. They insisted on spending the evening on the property. Despite being informed that this was unwelcome, varying groups repeated the scenario at least three times in the following weeks. 6/10 - A parking barricade was used to shatter a plate glass window of a bedroom at the chancellor's private residence at 3 a.m., while the house was occupied. We must make it clear that trespassing, vandalism, threats and violent acts have no place in our community. It is important that we work together to avoid such incidents in the future. There are reasons to remain concerned. On September 30th, a group of seven people again arrived uninvited at the chancellor's private residence at dusk, entering her back yard and demanding to meet with her. The chancellor had to negotiate intensely with them for approximately 45 minutes before convincing them to leave peacefully. Such incidents are not characteristic of our campus. I do not want to attribute the above acts to any particular group, other than to note that they appear to represent actions of a small cadre of people. However, even though they may represent the actions of a small group, these incidents present a serious situation that we must address together. I seek your assistance in taking a proactive approach to ensure that UCSC remains a positive environment for learning and a place where the Principles of Community are respected and practiced by all. Chancellor Denton and I will be working actively to build relationships across campus with students, staff and faculty constituents. I ask that you work with us to find positive and creative ways to address these issues in your offices, in the dining halls, in the laboratories and classrooms, in hallway conversations, at community events, or whenever you are in contact with anyone who will benefit from your engagement. I thank you for your efforts and believe that together we can maintain a positive campus climate characterized by civil discourse and appropriate modes of interaction. Sincerely, David S. Kliger
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