The University Faculty Council, the Staff Advisory Council and UMW’s student leaders have adopted the following resolutions:
The University Faculty Council of the University of Mary Washington offers solidarity with the students, faculty, and staff at the University of Virginia and with the citizens of Charlottesville in strongly condemning the bigotry, hatred, violence, and intimidation exhibited by supporters of the “Unite the Right” event. Consistent with the values of the academy, we encourage responsible, civil, compassionate, and mutually respectful discourse on the difficult topics of race, identity, and history. We utterly condemn the ideologies espoused by white supremacist, white nationalist, and Nazi groups, which stand for violence, intimidation, and the marginalization of members of our community. We affirm our commitment to diversity and inclusion and to the protection of respectful civil discourse. We, too, “stand ready to defend those values against any who seek to undermine them.”
The Staff Advisory Council of the University of Mary Washington strongly condemns the hateful violence and acts of bigotry that occurred in Charlottesville during a “Unite the Right” event earlier this month.
The Staff Advisory Council stands in solidarity with our student leaders and the University Faculty Council condemning these acts of intimidation, bigotry, and hatred. We support the First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceable assembly, however acts of violence and terrorism are not protected by this amendment. We support and encourage respectful civil discussion of varied viewpoints, opinions, and differences. The Staff Advisory Council is committed to UMW values and to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment of mutual respect for students, faculty, staff, and community of all backgrounds and identities.
We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and friends of Heather Heyer and state troopers H. Jay Cullen and Berke M.M. Bates whose lives were lost. Our thoughts are also with the dozens who were injured, the University of Virginia, and the Charlottesville community.
UMW United: We, as leaders of the student organizations at UMW, want to express our sorrow at the events of civil unrest and violence that broke out over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. The past few days have seen us bear witness to a white supremacist rally marching through the University of Virginia’s campus, and propagandizing racism and hatred.
Here at the University of Mary Washington, our core principles of equal opportunity and diversity are not only practiced but celebrated. We, as a community, do not condone this behavior of discrimination or violence.
Additionally, our thoughts and prayers are with the dozens who were injured as well as the friends and families of Heather Heyer and state troopers H. Jay Cullen and Berke M.M. Bates who lost their lives in the fight against bigotry and hatred.
If anyone on campus witnesses discriminatory behavior or injustice, do not hesitate to reach out and report them. Please utilize the following resources that are here to promote diversity and inclusion: James Farmer Multicultural Center, Title IX Office, Talley Center, UMW Police, and the Diversity and Unity Coordinating Committee.
Together, we are one UMW. Together, we are UMW United.
