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October 4, 2001
To: Campus Community
From: Chancellor M.R.C. Greenwood
Re: Chancellor denounces campus incidents
Dear Campus Colleagues:
When I returned this morning from a meeting at the Office of the President in Oakland, I was deeply distressed to learn of several serious instances of unacceptable behavior that occurred during my absence this week.
I am writing today to reiterate in unequivocal terms that expressions of bigotry and hate will not be tolerated. Here are the particular instances that have just been reported to me.
On Tuesday morning, October 2, a student called the Chancellor's office to report that someone had shouted anti-Muslim remarks at him. This student filed a formal complaint with the Director of Student Judicial Affairs on Wednesday, October 3.
Tuesday afternoon, October 2, a member of the Oakes College staff called the UCSC police to report that she had removed two anti-Semitic and white supremacist flyers from bulletin boards at the college. The staff member did not see who had posted them. Copies of the flyers were faxed to the police and a police report was taken.
Later that same afternoon, October 2, the College Eight Administrative Officer (CAO) reported that a staff member saw a young woman stapling flyers to the top of picnic tables. The staff member, not realizing at first what the flyers were, asked the individual not to post items on picnic tables and requested that she remove them. The individual refused and kept walking. Upon examination of the flyer, the staff member saw that it contained anti-Semitic content and that it referenced a web site that contains hideously racist (white supremacist) information. UCSC police were notified, and an officer interviewed the witness and an investigation is currently underway. An Email, with a copy of the flyer, was sent to all college, housing and student judicial staff asking everyone to be vigilant. Information about the incident was sent to the Hate/Bias Incident Response Committee.
On Wednesday afternoon, October 3, Oakes students found a copy of a racist flyer targeting African-Americans at the Oakes college bus stop. A copy of the flyer was taken to the Chancellor's office and then students met with Student Affairs Staff to express their outrage and to call for community meeting to address it.
There is no excuse for these deplorable actions. Regardless of whether they were instigated by someone from among us or by individuals from outside the campus community, they are unacceptable. When identified, perpetrators of this kind of destructive and divisive behavior will receive the utmost measure of campus censure allowable within the law and our campus policies. I urge everyone who is aware of any other examples of intolerance to report them immediately.
This is a time of great anxiety and stress for us all. Beginning with the reflections that were posted on the Currents Online web site within hours of the attacks, continuing through news editorials and campus convocations, speak-outs, and teach-ins, UC Santa Cruz students, faculty and staff have offered invaluable perspective and insight. We must continue to reach out to and learn from one another.
During this time especially, we need to exemplify tolerance and serve as a model for civil behavior. Our Principles of Community underscore this. (Please see Principles of Community statement)
I am dedicated to ensuring that our campus provides a safe and nurturing environment for everyone to work, live and learn. Please don't let the ignorant actions of others divide our community. Instead, let us join together to build and sustain the environment in which we all will thrive.
M.R.C. Greenwood
Chancellor
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To report to the Hate/Bias Incident Response Committee and /or the Director of Student Judicial Affairs, reporting forms are available at http://www2.ucsc.edu/judicial/. E-mail can be sent to SJA@cats. Or you can phone 459-4447. Incidents may be reported anonymously. The Campus Hate/Bias Incident Policy is available on-line in the Student Policies and Regulations Handbook 2001-2002 - Appendix M. http://www2.ucsc.edu/judicial/
To report any incidents or if you have witnessed anyone posting this type of material on the campus and can provide information to the UC Santa Cruz Police: For Non-Emergency incidents, public service requests or inquiries call 459-2231. Anonymous Tip Line: 459-3847 Anonymous E-mail Reporting: http://www2.ucsc.edu/police/crimestop/
Maintained by:pioweb@cats.ucsc.edu