As we begin another year full of learning, discovery and service to community, I want to reiterate the obligations we have to our community, and to each other, to enable that tradition to continue – especially in light of the discord and conflict we are experiencing in our nation and across the globe. Without question, the freedom to engage in political speech and social activism are cornerstones of our democracy and part of a rich tradition on colleges campuses, including our own.
The UW is a part of society – not a refuge from it – and our community experiences many of the same disagreements and competing perspectives that exist throughout our pluralistic society. Being exposed to ideas that challenge us and our beliefs is important for our learning and growth. Sometimes, ideas that we disagree with may offend us, or even be hurtful. That, too, is part of living in a democratic society that values and makes room for different perspectives, opinions and beliefs. It is necessary for us all to learn how to communicate across our differences, and how to handle disagreements with empathy, courage and resilience, in order to effectively navigate the complexities of our world. Our University should be a place for all of us to engage in reasoned dialogue on the issues about which we are most passionate.
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However, the freedom to express opinions fully, while knowing that some will disagree with them, is not a license to intimidate or threaten others. Nor does it entitle anyone to disrupt the pursuit of our mission of learning, teaching, research, health care and public service. For example, at last week’s Board of Regents meeting, we experienced just such disruptive conduct that went against our policies and our communities’ standards.
After public commenters spoke to the Board about contentious labor issues and in favor of divestment from companies operating in Israel without interruption, several members of the Jewish community then spoke in opposition to divestment and regarding their views on the climate for Jewish students and employees. They were repeatedly interrupted and even shouted down by some protestors. The disruptive conduct continued despite multiple warnings to stop, which forced the Board to adjourn its meeting, thus disrupting important University business. UWPD continues to investigate the incident and there has already been one arrest, of a man with no apparent UW affiliation.
Our policies and expectations apply to UW community members and to individuals coming to the University. For example, in addition to prohibitions against disruptive behavior, whether or not it is discriminatory, the UW Student Code of Conduct prohibits harassment of all kinds, including racist, sex- or gender-based, antisemitic, Islamophobic, ableist and other discriminatory behavior. We expect every student to live up to that code as a condition of their enrollment. We have similar expectations of our faculty and staff as a condition of their employment, and of individuals from outside the UW who come to our campuses, meetings and events. Any conduct that targets individuals or groups in ways that create a hostile environment is unacceptable. This includes behavior in classrooms and labs, workplaces, residence halls, and public meetings and spaces.
These principles that inform our campus culture have been and will continue to be clearly communicated to students during New Husky Orientation and in the Husky Pawket Guide from our Office of Student Life. We will be offering a new course, “2024: Dialogue, Disagreement and Democracy,” to help students develop the skills to navigate differences and have productive conversations. We will also be communicating these principles to faculty and staff in appropriate venues.
Last year, our Seattle campus, like many others across the U.S., experienced disruptions by protests against the ongoing war in Gaza. This fall also coincides with the final stretch of a contentious and heated presidential election in our country. Peaceful protest is allowed and free speech is integral to our society. If protest actions do occur on campus, we will evaluate their adherence to these principles on a case-by-case basis, with safety as our North Star. Peaceful protests can be a positive, constructive part of our educational mission. Moreover, as a public university we cannot close off our campus from other members of the public; in fact, we welcome their participation in the many cultural, artistic and community activities that take place on our campus. But, if and when protest activities become disruptive, inciting or are accompanied by the destruction of public resources, we will first and foremost take action to protect people’s physical safety. We will also take whatever action is necessary and appropriate to allow the University to continue operations and serve our teaching, research and service mission. This includes enabling all community members to use public spaces and facilities appropriately and without being harassed or threatened.
Every member of the UW community was chosen from a pool of highly qualified applicants because each of us has important ideas and skills that can contribute to the public good. When we treat each other with empathy, respect and civility, we create the conditions necessary for this to happen, and in doing so, we strengthen our society.
I love this University, and I have deep faith in our capacity to collectively advance learning, discovery knowledge and healing that serves to advance a more just, peaceful and prosperous world. That mission depends on all of us committing to listening across our differences, considering disparate points of view and remembering that we always owe each other respect, civility and the benefit of the doubt, even in cases where we disagree. Violent rhetoric, intimidation and vandalism do not win over people to a cause – listening, sharing and seeking out common ground are the powerful tools that can.