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February 28, 2024
Dear Members of Our Campus Community,
UC Santa Barbara is committed to maintaining and enhancing a safe, supportive, and respectful community where all individuals can live, learn, and work together in an atmosphere free of discrimination and harassment.
There have been recent campus antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish students with hateful signs and messages. These reprehensible incidents are currently under investigation, but as a campus, we must be clear that antisemitism and discrimination of any kind, including any efforts to intimidate, harass, or discriminate against members of our community, will not be tolerated. All such offenses will be reported, reviewed, and investigated, consistent with campus and UC policies, and federal law, and appropriate action will be taken through our established conduct codes and policies to hold responsible individuals accountable.
UC Santa Barbara has a strong tradition of welcoming those of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and all faiths. We are alarmed that our academic community may be jeopardized because of the tensions and crises of the current conflicts. We share outrage and concern about these acts of antisemitism on our beloved campus in recent days. All members of our community must be able to live, learn, and work together in an atmosphere free of discrimination and harassment.
If you have not done so already, please review the new UC Presidential Policy on Anti-Discrimination. We also announce the establishment of the University of California’s first Systemwide Office of Civil Rights, which will provide systemwide leadership, guidance, and support on issues related to protecting civil rights. The UC Presidential Policy on Anti-Discrimination covers Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation by and against students, employees, and third parties on university property or in connection with university employment or programs or activities.
An important part of our campus efforts includes mandatory reporting requirements, comprehensive training for staff and faculty, and confidential support services. Information about reporting bias incidents can be found here. We remind you of resources available to our community: The Division of Student Affairs has posted reminders about campus rules and expectations for students, as well as campus safety and support resources. Faculty and staff with needs and concerns can contact the Academic & Staff Assistance Program, the Ombuds Office, or the University of California Ethics & Compliance Program. Preventing bias and discrimination is a responsibility we all share, and enhancing our university’s culture of inclusion, civility, safety, respect, and accountability is an ongoing commitment of our entire community. Please join us in reaffirming our commitment.
Prohibited Conduct under the Policy based on national or ethnic origin or ancestry extends to individuals who experience Discrimination or Harassment based on their actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, or citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity. This includes, for example, antisemitic, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic Discrimination or Harassment. Some of these forms of Discrimination or Harassment may also represent Prohibited Conduct based on other Protected Categories covered by this Policy, including based on religion.
The Policy includes protections for freedom of speech and academic freedom, but we call on all members of our community to use their right to express their views responsibly, with an awareness of our different opinions, backgrounds, and histories. No one should feel intimidated, threatened, or at risk because of their beliefs or identities.
UC President Drake has announced funding to help UC campuses address and combat antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias, bigotry, and discrimination at the University. Funding will address emergency mental health and trauma support for students, faculty, and staff; voluntary, extracurricular educational programming; and training and professional development for leaders, faculty, and staff. We are consulting widely about these programs and we will be in touch as plans are developed.
UC Santa Barbara stands united against antisemitism, anti-Arab and Islamophobic discrimination, anti-Blackness, racism, hate speech, and other forms of intimidation, both on our campus and beyond. Please help us sustain a respectful, supportive, safe, and welcoming campus climate for everyone.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor
David Marshall
Executive Vice Chancellor
Margaret Klawunn
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Jeffrey Stewart
Interim Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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All Rights Reserved.
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