The UO student community is engaged in difficult and controversial discussions around the content of recent editions of the Oregon Commentator and the ASUO Programs Finance Committee’s budget recommendation for that publication. Some focus on the offensive and objectionable nature of material that they feel targeted an individual student leader and the community the student represents. Others focus on principles of protection for speech that may be offensive and hurtful but is not illegal.
We write to recognize the significance of these discussions to the quality of life in our campus community. There are individuals who feel less welcome, less respected and less safe because of these dialogues. There are individuals who find some material in the journal, and the Commentator staff’s convictions that it is entitled to publish speech that may be offensive, almost unbearable.
We write at this time to acknowledge how hurtful biased speech can be to our community. We have as a campus community committed to a culture of respect that honors the rights, safety, dignity and worth of every individual. We have affirmed that respect for the rights and well-being of all members is essential to promoting the diversity of opinions, ideas and backgrounds that is the lifeblood of the University. We have recognized, as a core value, our commitment to cultural diversity, and we have recently affirmed the protections we afford gender identity in the UO’s non-discrimination statement.
This community must preserve the freedom of thought and expression of all its members. It is important at the same time to speak out, forcefully and directly, when members of our community feel targeted by speech that is racist, sexist, homophobic or otherwise biased, whether in words or in images.
We applaud the leaders of the ASUO for supporting a vigorous dialogue, for recognizing that the Commentator’s subject matter has deeply concerned a number of students and for encouraging PFC members to preserve our right to speech and properly fund the Commentator. We support student leaders who have expressed their concerns about this subject matter and its chilling impact on our campus climate. We support students, both from the Commentator and others, who have reminded us of important protections to free speech, even as we react to speech that offends us.
Our offices are supporting a number of individual students and student groups participating in these difficult dialogues. The Bias Response Team has provided educational programs on civility and free speech, and offers “QAC: Queer Ally Coalition” training.
We propose that the University’s Bias Response Team, in conjunction with the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, Student Affairs, ASUO and the Program Finance Committee, sponsor a forum or town meeting later this term so we can discuss how bias incidents and hate speech can divide our community. We will work with student leaders to design a meeting with structure to ensure inclusive, respectful and productive dialogue.
In the interim, we urge all participants in these student government discussions to recognize the importance of a safe community that is respectful and protective of diverse points of view and life style.

Dr. Anne Leavitt is the Vice
President for Student Affairs
Dr. Greg Vincent is Vice Provost
Institutional Equity and Diversity