Messages of Hate, Acts of Violence Cannot Be Tolerated

Messages of Hate, Acts of Violence Cannot Be Tolerated

Dear UW community:

I was distressed to learn this week that more than a dozen Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have received bomb threats in recent days. The threats, some of which were received on the first day of Black History Month, were a painful reminder of racist Zoom attacks on Black History Month activities one year ago at a number of universities across the country, including right here at the University of Wyoming.

UW stands in solidarity with our HBCU colleagues and good people across the nation in condemning the threats of violence that have no place in our society. Likewise, we condemn messages of hate and acts of violence against any groups or individuals.

Unfortunately, these sorts of incidents don’t seem to be abating across the country. On Tuesday, for example, two campus police officers were killed at Bridgewater College, a small liberal arts college in Virginia. And UCLA moved its classes online because a former lecturer, later apprehended in Colorado, posted a video that referred to mass shootings and sent an 800-page manifesto threatening specific faculty members.

While these incidents may seem far from our campus, last year’s racist Zoom bombing of a UW Black History Month event – perpetrated by individuals elsewhere – shows that no place is immune from acts of hatred. In fact, we have been notified by Laramie Police Department regarding a recent report of vandalism against a pride flag on a UW student’s vehicle, which the LPD is investigating. The university is providing support to impacted parties.

I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: We must not be silent in responding to racist, homophobic and otherwise hateful speech and actions in our community, and we must work together to make the university a more welcoming place for people of all backgrounds. It is absolutely essential that we continue striving to create the type of environment where all people feel accepted and safe.

As part of that effort, as noted in a recent communication, we will soon launch a search for a vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, building upon the 2017 hiring of UW’s first chief diversity officer and establishment of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I look forward to the discussions that will be a part of this search for a leader to help make the university a more welcoming place for people from all backgrounds, races, ethnicities and experiences.

In the meantime, if you have concerns about hateful speech, threats or violence here or elsewhere, please contact our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to share concerns and be guided to additional support resources, 307-766-3459, diversity@uwyo.edu, and for 24-7 response please don’t hesitate to contact our UW Police Department at 307-766-5179, uwpd@uwyo.edu .

Sincerely,

Ed Seidel, President