Re: Pride
To: All campus
UC Merced celebrates Pride Month, even as American political discourse about diversity and inclusivity has become harsher and, in many cases, simply irrational.
Universities have a special responsibility not only to foster civil discourse leading to intellectual advancement and, ideally, enlightenment, but also to model the kind of society we want to see in the world. Uplifting our LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month says to the world that we support and celebrate our community members whose value and, at times, very lives are under attack. We must not simply be a safe space, but an active promoter of human dignity.
The city of Merced held its third Pride Flag raising downtown last week, and it was wonderful to note the number of UC Merced faculty and staff joining the ceremony. We hope for a large contingent to march under our banner in San Francisco’s Pride Parade on June 25 as well. Contact the Dean of Students' office for more information.
UC Merced is committed to cultivating a culture of dignity and respect for all, as our Strategic Plan demands. We demonstrate this in our teaching, our research, our public service — and our daily campus interactions. Taking part in Pride Month events is not the sum of our promise to our community — but it is an important public manifestation of our commitment to our values.
Fiat Lux,
Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D.
Chancellor
