Dear UMBC Community, 

 

We write today to once again address the need for respect and civility among our community. This comes as we are hearing reports and seeing for ourselves incidents of disrespectful behavior and antisemitic messages posted across campus and on social media. These include conduct during a recent Student Government Association (SGA) meeting and recent student demonstrations on campus and antisemitic posters displayed in violation of our university posting policy. 

 

We will hold accountable those who violate university policy, and we encourage the continued reporting of any incidents of harassment or bias through the Office of Equity and Civil Rights’ online reporting form, by emailing ecr@umbc.edu, or by calling 410-455-1717. We also want to remind the entire community that the freedom for individuals to express themselves is not absolute: All members of the community—students, faculty, and staff—are expected to adhere to university policies and procedures, including UMBC’s policy on discrimination and equal opportunity. We will not tolerate speech or behavior that creates a hostile environment for others or that denies or limits individuals’ access to our educational programs or activities on the basis of race, religion, national origin, or other protected categories. 

 

The behavior of some individuals at last week’s SGA meeting was particularly disappointing. The meeting was held to address a resolution that asked the university to boycott and divest from “entities complicit in the violation of Palestinian human rights” and to actively protect “Palestinian students and their allies as they advocate for justice for the Palestinian people.” Although SGA leadership asked audience members to respect our community standards and provided specific expectations for the meeting, some in the audience chose to engage in behaviors that were unacceptable—disrespectful to those testifying, as well as to the SGA. For the SGA to truly represent the undergraduate student body and advocate for it within our system of shared governance, its processes must allow for a multitude of voices and viewpoints to be heard and considered—not silenced by peers. 

 

Campus Life staff is actively and regularly engaged with SGA and will continue to support its members as they remain dedicated to their roles in shared governance. Additionally, we continue to work with our religious organizations and Religious Council to provide care and support and co-create a vision for the future that builds bridges across communities of differing beliefs and identities. With regard to campus protests and demonstrations, we have improved and clarified our safety protocols to ensure the well-being of all community members. And our student conduct and community standards team stands ready to address violations of the student code of conduct, including behaviors that disrupt the functioning of the university and that target specific individuals or threaten the physical safety of community members. 

 

To foster greater understanding of the First Amendment-protected freedom of speech, we are providing educational sessions for students, faculty, and staff. Sessions for student leaders begin today, Monday, March 11, and we will offer additional sessions throughout the semester. Efforts are also underway to implement targeted conversations and engagement to offer care and support and address specific faculty and staff needs.

 

Thank you for your partnership in making the UMBC community welcoming, inclusive, and safe for all. 

 

Sincerely,