March 18, 2003

To: UC Santa Cruz Community
From: M.R.C. Greenwood, Chancellor and George Blumenthal, Chair, Academic Senate
Re: Message from Chancellor Greenwood and Chair Blumenthal

Dear Colleagues:

Last night, in a special address to the nation, President Bush announced that military action in Iraq is imminent, unless Saddam Hussein steps down.

We do not know at this moment exactly what the next few days will bring. However, we do know that this is an historic moment for international relations, and that decisions made by others this week will have lasting impact worldwide.  
Whatever your opinion about the events that unfold in the days ahead, please remember that vital communities such as ours draw strength from understanding and respect for others.

This is finals week and many will leave the campus soon for a short break. Others will remain to prepare for the new quarter ahead. Whatever your circumstances, We encourage you to seek the nurturing companionship of loved ones, and to return to campus ready to face the challenges ahead.

The university is a supportive and interesting place to be in difficult times. As a community of scholars, we take seriously our responsibilities for providing an atmosphere in which free and thoughtful discourse leads us toward greater understanding. At this moment, faculty, staff and students are preparing for activities at the beginning of the quarter that will bring us together for discussion and reflection should war commence before that time. You will receive details as they are finalized.

In the interim, we remind you of the campus resources for information. A website dedicated to issues around this conflict is being augmented daily (www.ucsc.edu/news_events/iraq). Please bookmark the site -- which also is accessible directly from the campus home page (www.ucsc.edu).

Should circumstances warrant we also will activate emergency communications vehicles such as 459-INFO, KZSC radio (88.1 FM), and campus email communications.

In the event of military action before the spring quarter begins, let us all return to UC Santa Cruz with spirit of dedication, understanding, tolerance, and mutual support.

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