Bad Email

Dear Students:

As Fall Quarter comes to a rapid conclusion, it’s worth reflecting a moment on the intense political times we are living in. Already this year we have witnessed a remarkable beginning to the 2012 presidential campaign; we have seen Occupy Wall Street begin as an initially small protest in a small park in New York City, then gain nationwide news coverage and ultimately spread across the country. Closer to home, we’ve seen unfortunate disturbances occur on other campuses.

Sometimes, though, it’s a single, seemingly isolated incident that can wound deeply. Just today, for example, a Cal Poly student found a flier posted in the bathroom of Robert E. Kennedy Library that was offensive to him, and he shared it with the campus administration. The flier was a political statement protesting what the writer called unfair treatment of white people. To be sure, the administration does not condone this kind of vitriol.

As we have said many times, Cal Poly embraces First Amendment rights. We encourage people to engage in free expression and free inquiry. At the same time, we urge everyone to be civil and respectful of others' feelings and opinions.

Statements that demean groups of people not only are unnecessarily hurtful, they diminish the spirit of inclusion that makes Cal Poly the distinctive learning community that we all cherish and take pride in. Treat others as you would want to be treated.

At Cal Poly, we believe strongly that there can be honest and open dialogue about sensitive issues, and we provide numerous resources on campus to help you have those important conversations. We encourage students and other members of the campus community to engage in discussion when these issues emerge, so that we can all learn from each other’s perspectives and experiences.

If you encounter expressions of speech that you find disturbing, please feel free to contact me at (805)756-0327, Students Ombuds Services at (805) 756-1380, or the Office of Employment Equity at 805-756-6770.

What all of us desire at Cal Poly is a university that vigorously debates the issues of the day, yet remains respectful of each other’s dignity and sensibilities.

Here’s wishing all a successful completion to Fall Quarter. Have a wonderful holiday break, and we look forward to your return in January.

Jean DeCosta Dean of Students