CAMPUS COMMUNICATIONS
We are a campus moving boldly forward and have much to share and celebrate. I have the privilege and responsibility to communicate with the campus community in meaningful and impactful ways, when appropriate, and with purpose. Examples of ways in which I utilize campus communications are to announce important leadership changes; recognize advancements in research and accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students; celebrate campus achievements; communicate new initiatives, strategic plans and goals; and appreciate significant partnerships and transformative gifts.
ISSUES OF CAMPUS IMPACT
At times, there may be circumstances where campus may expect communication from my office; every communication comes with careful consideration.
Occasionally I may defer to others to address the campus on specific topics.
There may be times where our collective judgement decides there should be no communication. If I were to address every request to respond, there would be a campus communication every day and that would impact the attention and weight of the messages I communicate.
STEWARDING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
UC Merced is proud of the breadth of experiences and passions that encompass our community. As a higher education institution, we teach and encourage critical thinking, diversity in thought, and freedom of expression in a safe, supportive, and civil environment.
My role in this environment is to ensure that those goals are met. It is my duty to honor the voices of our community while also ensuring a campus that is focused on our shared vision of First, Further, Forward – a priority for being the first in the field of learning and research, going further in advancement and accomplishment, and working forward towards common goals and the growth of our campus as individuals and as a whole.
I am trusted by the faculty to uphold the principles on academic freedom as framed by the American Association of University Professors, which asserts that “the common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition” and protects the academic freedom of professors and outlines the rights and responsibilities thereby.
As the designated official spokesperson for UC Merced by the Regents of the University of California, this comes with responsibilities that I would like to address. At times, UC campuses may have official overarching points of views that will be addressed, including for example state support, curricular development, or enrollment issues. However, every UC is a government entity, and as such, no government agency should tell the people that work for or are influenced by them how they should think or feel on controversial matters of public opinion. Moreover, my office as an official representative of the UC system must avoid officially associating UC Merced with ideological points of view about social issues that do not directly impact our campus and its educational mission. I will not make any person or member of our community feel marginalized, alienated, or silenced. This would be counter-productive to the mission of the University of California and UC Merced’s commitment to teaching, discovery, critical thinking and human growth.
I am reminded of the principles set forth in the Kalven Committee Report on the University’s Role in Political and Social Action in 1967, which states “the university … is a community which cannot take collective action on the issues of the day without endangering the conditions of its existence and effectiveness. There is no mechanism by which it can reach a collective position without inhibiting that full freedom of dissent on which it thrives. … if it takes collective action, therefore, it does so at the price of censuring any minority who does not agree with the view adopted. … The neutrality of the university as an institution arises then not from a lack of courage nor out of indifference and insensitivity. It arises out of respect for free inquiry and the obligation to cherish a diversity of viewpoints. And this neutrality as an institution has its complement in the fullest freedom for its faculty and students as individuals to participate in political action and social protest.”
Therefore, my role is to support our campus community to have freedom of expression on a broad range of issues and balance that freedom with continuity of the mission of UC Merced, our principles of community, and our Campus Climate Initiative. In providing a campus that is a safe space for freedom of expression, our campus community members will know that my office supports their voice whether I say anything or not. I will not make an official statement in every instance – my actions will reflect my commitment to supporting your voice.
I hope this brings you an understanding of my considerations and factors as to why I may not speak when some think I should. I am confident that the actions we take as leadership to provide a safe space for freedom of expression will empower our community – and my responsibility is supporting everyone’s voice.
References:
AAUP. (2024, August 2). 1940 statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and tenure. https://www.aaup.org/report/1940-statement-principles-academic-freedom-a...
Kalven, H., Franklin, J. H., Kolb, G. J., Stigler, G., Getzels, J., Goldsmith, J., & White, G. F. (2024). Kalven Committee: Report on the University’s role in ... University of Chicago. https://provost.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/documents/reports/Kalve...
