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October 9, 2002
To: Campus Community
From: Chancellor M.R.C. Greenwood
Re: Chancellor Greenwood comments on anti-war rally
Dear Campus Colleagues:
At a time when the nation's headlines report the possibility of war against Iraq, we should expect that members of our campus community, like others across the country, will express their views. This discussion of possible war, punctuated with debate of the complexities of preventing terrorism, result in intense feelings and strongly held opinions. As an example, this past Monday, a large group of concerned campus citizens assembled at McHenry Library to hear speakers and express their opposition to military action in Iraq.
Although universities teach politics and often spawn politicians, our university's central mission is education. Specifically, the university must provide the educational environment in which all of us can become fully informed. The university must encourage critical thinking and thoughtful analysis so that individuals develop their own point of view. And the university must provide an atmosphere in which reasoned discourse is fostered and the free expression of opinion by all individuals is respected.
We all share hope for a peaceful resolution to these conflicts. We all share hope for harmony in the world, so that our children, and all the children of the world, can look forward to a bright future. In these difficult times, I urge each of us to renew commitment to our Principles of Community. Let us allow all voices, however different in perspective, to be heard. And let us honor our obligation as a community to continue our tradition of responsible and informed dialogue.
With all best regards,
M.R.C. Greenwood, Chancellor
Maintained by:pioweb@cats.ucsc.edu