Recently, unfortunate incidents have occurred on our UCSC campus. Two acts of offensive graffiti were found, one at Oakes and the other at Porter College. Sadly, this often occurs in our society and serves only to fuel tensions concerning issues of difference. It is especially upsetting when incidents like these happen within our own campus community.
Foremost, I want you to know the University does not condone such acts. We pride ourselves in making every effort to provide all students a safe, caring, and positive learning environment free from intimidation and bias motivated incidents. We take seriously any kind of discriminatory behavior that targets, or appears to target, individuals or groups, based on religious, ethnic, racial, gender, sexual orientation, or ability, and any other human difference.
We strive to maintain a community where individuals are respected and honored for the unique richness they bring to our living/learning environment. Each student and every member of our campus community should feel welcome at UCSC.
Incidents like these affect our campus community. We are asking students and community members with any information or knowledge of these or other such offensive incidents to please contact one of the following University offices:
* Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, at 459-2474 or studentaffairs@ucsc.edu
* Dean of Students, at 459-1676 or deanofstudents@ucsc.edu
* Student Judicial Affairs, at 459-1738 or sja@ucsc.edu
* UCSC Police through the anonymous tip line at 549-3847
Students who wish to further discuss this incident are encouraged to contact Donnae Smith, Coordinator for Diversity and Inclusion Programs, Colleges and University Housing Services. Donnae may be contacted at 459-3097 or donnaes@ucsc.edu.
We also invite your suggestions on ways to bring the community together to dialogue about supporting and respecting one another and, in turn, rising above these kinds of hateful incidents. You help to make this campus a place of learning and growing in peace and dignity!
In the days ahead, I hope we can all focus on the many positive and exciting events happening on the campus as we close the academic year. Let's use this unfortunate incident to come together as a community and make our campus a better place for all.
