Dear LLS Community,
Last week, we witnessed conduct that shocked our community and is clearly inconsistent with our institutional mission and values – antisemitic insults and hateful remarks leveled against members of the law school community during and after the Jewish Law Students Association event. (Our recent statement provides details.) I want to reiterate that antisemitism has no place on our campus.
Since the time of the event, we have continued to receive reports about other kinds of troubling interactions, on campus and through social media, that also clearly fall below our usual standards of civility and professionalism. My team and I have heard from many community members about how they have been impacted by all of these events, and I remind everyone that speech that is used to intimidate or harass others, or to deprive others of their right to speak, is not protected speech.
We are conducting a comprehensive investigation of all complaints received and are considering disciplinary action as appropriate. Because of federal and state privacy laws pertaining to the confidentiality of student records, we cannot comment on an active investigation, nor should we prejudge its findings. I appreciate your patience as the investigation proceeds.
I thank those of you who have been working to support all members of our community. To students, I ask that you please give each other the space and time that you all need to get re-centered mentally, emotionally, and physically, so that you can shift your focus to exams. Please know that your safety and well-being are paramount. We have increased support resources for students during this time, and we are working with Public Safety to enhance our security protocols as appropriate. Our campus leaders will continue engaging students, faculty, and staff to offer guidance and support.
Our mission calls upon us to educate persons who demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, professional ethics, and a profound concern for social justice. It is essential that we place the dignity of each person at the center of our concerns for justice and that we affirm the humanity of others, even when we disagree about what justice requires in any particular context. This is a difficult moment for our community, but I believe that we can use this moment to reaffirm our values and commit to finding a path forward that honors these values even in the midst of difficult conversations.
Let us treat each other with a renewed sense of kindness and respect that exemplifies our community and our values. Now, more than ever, we need to be persons for and with others, finding unity in our pursuit of justice. This is who we are, and who we should always strive to be, and this is what will help us get through this together.
Sincerely,
Brietta R. Clark
Interim Dean and Senior Vice President
Appointed the next Fritz B. Burns Dean effective June 2024
Professor of Law and J. Rex Dibble Fellow