Dear Campus Community,
We want to acknowledge the harm and pain so many are experiencing due to the war in Gaza; whatever personal opinions and beliefs we may hold, war and loss of life impact us as human beings. Please feel free to reach out to either of us with questions or for support.
This past weekend a student organization, the Colorado College Students for Justice in Palestine, hosted a gathering in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We support the students’ right to express their views, to protest respectfully and peacefully, and we always acknowledge and welcome diversity of thought and differing perspectives. As the college’s Freedom of Expression policy states: “Freedom of thought and expression are essential to any institution of higher learning. Academic freedom is essential to the mission of Colorado College, and freedom of expression is a vital component of academic freedom.” The policy also states that we do “not countenance communications or conduct that demean, denigrate, humiliate, or express hatred to any particular person or class of persons.”
Although the Butler Center did not sponsor the event, we provided guidance to the group as to how to safely hold their event, and posted approved language in our biweekly announcements and on social media, as we would do for any student group. We always seek to have announcements and postings align with our Freedom of Expression Policy. However, student postings announcing the event appeared with language the Butler Center did not intend or approve, and we acknowledge and apologize for the harm that has caused. This presents other opportunities and challenges for all involved as we continue our journey to be an antiracist institution and to always be cognizant of the impact of our words, regardless of intention. Those communications have been changed, and we are following up with students who posted the announcement and many who were impacted.
If you need support, the diversity, equity, and inclusion team; Butler Center; Counseling Center; Wellness Resource Center; and Spiritual Life are available. Faculty and staff may seek support through the Employee Assistance Program. Please see contact information for all of these resources below.
Sincerely,
Rochelle T. Dickey
Acting Dean of Students/Acting Vice President for Student Life
Rosalie M. Rodriguez
Senior Associate Dean of Students, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Director of the Butler Center
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