Our Commitment to Free Expression and to Each Other
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President's Office-Notices <Offi f-the-President i LBANY.EDU>
Tue, 18 Apr 2023 20:59:45 +0000
ALLSTUDENTS-L@LISTSERV.ALBANY.EDU
Our Commitment to Free Expression and to Each Other
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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Havidén Rod
April 18, 2023
Dear UAlbany Community,
Recent national and local events remind us of the importance of having
challenging conversations about free speech.
Free speech is fundamental to our democratic society and it is embedded in
our civic identity. It is also the foundation of the inquiry, scholarship, and
debate that help define the power of higher education. Without it, we could not
develop critical thinking; engage in spirited discussions about controversial
issues; question conventional wisdom and our traditional ways of doing things;
or express the diversity of ideas that characterize our communities.
Without free speech protections, we would not have Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr.'s “| Have a Dream” speech or much of the Civil Rights movement. College
students would not have spoken out against the war in Vietnam. The fight
against AIDS would not have advanced, and George Floyd’s murder could not
have served as the powerful call to action it became. Thanks to freedom of
expression, we can speak out about the inequities in our society. And because
of it, we are better off today than yesterday.
Free speech protects us all, even when it might feel like it doesn’t.
How can an issue so fundamental to who we are as voters, scholars, and
members of a democratic community be so challenging? Free speech takes
work, and commitment. It also requires our responsibility to protect the free
speech rights of those with whom we agree and those with whom we might
vehemently disagree. To protect our rights, we must also protect the rights of
others.
Protecting the rights of others requires UAlbany, as a public university, to
provide a designate lic forum on camy for thir ties to exercise free
speech. We know that some of these events can be challenging for those who
may find the content offensive. This is often especially true for our friends,
classmates, and colleagues who belong to historically marginalized
communities — and for those of us who consider ourselves their allies.
However, the answer is not to limit speech, but to lift them up and support them
along their journey at our institution. Further, as a thriving and diverse
community, we can engage in thoughtful dialogue and peaceful protests to
counter messages with which we disagree. We can have critical discussions,
challenging the beliefs of those who hold prejudices. This is central to who we
are as a community of learning.
On this point, let me be clear, the University at Albany is unconditionally and
unequivocally committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our values and
actions as one of the most diverse public research institutions in the country
define who we are and our path forward. We vehemently reject all forms of
bias and racism, as well as attempts to undermine our progress, and we will
continue to take steps to support and ensure the success of all our students.
As | write this, | am reminded of what Vice President Michael Christakis and
Samuel Caldwell, our chief diversity officer, wrote about ten days ago — that
this inclusive part of our identity need not conflict with our obligation to protect
speech.
| also believe that, in addition to our legal commitments under the First
Amendment, our institutional values compel us to lead with grace in our
interactions with one another.
We do not need to agree in order to co-exist as neighbors, classmates, and
colleagues. We can embrace our diversity of thought and expression while
also treating each other with dignity and respect. This is who we are and whom
we must continually aspire to be.
Sincerely,
Havidan Rodriguez
President
University Hall Room 302, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222
Phone: 518-956-8010 presmail@albany.edu
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