To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Chancellor Richard Herman" <chancellor@uiuc.edu>

Reply-To: chancellor@uiuc.edu
 Subject: MASSMAIL - Violent Threats Unacceptable

To Members of the Campus Community:

It was brought to my attention earlier this week that threats of violence
against an American Indian student, and hate speech directed at all
American Indians, were posted on a pro-Chief Facebook website created by
students at the University of Illinois. The idea that the debate over this
issue could degenerate to personal attacks that threaten the physical
safety and well-being of members of the campus community is something that
all of us should find truly abhorrent. 

The men and women who built the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
over the past 140 years have worked hard to create a place where ideas
could be explored and discussed in a safe and welcoming environment.
Actions such as those that were recommended on this Facebook site really
are an attack on each member of our community, and that site has now been
removed.

I do not know the motives of the students who posted the threats, but I do
know that their words are dangerous and racist. The threats have been
forwarded to the Office of Student Conflict Resolution for investigation
and action. The Student Code guarantees that members of the campus
community should be able to discuss issues and express views, but it does
not allow speech that threatens to harm other members of the campus community.

As Chancellor, I can not and will not tolerate such violent threats.  The
University will take all legal and disciplinary actions available in
response to the threatening messages. 

But far less extreme actions and words can traumatize and frighten those
targeted, as well.  The right of free speech--no matter how thoughtless,
rude or dumb--is a hallmark of the American system. Yet as future leaders
and as citizens of our campus community and later as citizens of a nation
and world, we must engage in a far deeper dialogue about how we are to
agree to disagree. Vigorous debate is good and it is constitutionally
protected--but debate should be based on ideas, not empty-headed slurs or
vicious threats.

To all members of the campus community I ask that you think seriously about
what you can do to help build a campus climate with zero tolerance for
racism and hate. Everyone has a role. We should expect nothing less from
ourselves. I invite each of you to join us at 4:00 p.m. February 1, 2007 in
Foellinger Auditorium for a forum on creating a more welcoming campus
environment. 

Together, we must find ways to implement our shared values of respect and
dignity.

Thank you.

Richard Herman
ChancellorThis mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chancellor

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