Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

As some of you may have read in the newspapers, this morning a member of our faculty was severely injured during what appears to have been a senseless act of aggression and alleged hate crime by another not affiliated with the University of Illinois.  The University is deeply saddened by this event.
  
We are grateful to those who intervened to offer aid and the thoughts of the entire University community are with the victim and his family, wishing for a complete and speedy recovery.

I also want to reaffirm that ours is a community of tolerance that welcomes all people who are committed to enhancing the future of our University, community, state, nation, and world.  We do not accept violence.  The University stands ready to support law enforcement officials as they investigate this situation.  As that process moves forward, I ask that we all take a moment to remember that compassion is our greatest virtue and that we are united together in a wish for healing and understanding in the wake of such a tragic incident.

Sincerely,

Mike

Michael J. Hogan
President
University of Illinois