From: president_list-request@lists.unr.

edu on behalf of Office of the President

<president@unr.edu>
Sent: Monday, August 14, 2017 4:20 PM
To: president_list
Subject: Dear Colleague Letter on Charlottesville Follow-up

Dear Colleague,

Equal opportunity, inclusiveness and diversity are core values for the University
of Nevada, Reno. We
must always encourage a campus environment that supports and respects all members
of our diverse
learning community. This defining principle includes standing against all forms of
bigotry, hatred and
racism, as well as providing learning environments that are peaceful and encourage
the free exchange of
ideas. We also stand for the basic principles of the Constitution, which says we
have freedoms to
peacefully assemble and to have free speech.
Over the weekend, tragic events in Charlottesville, Virginia, have brought about
several questions
regarding these defining principles. The University unequivocally rejects the
positions and ideology that
were espoused during the white supremacist rally that occurred in Charlottesville,
Virginia.
There have been numerous inquiries about Peter Cvjetanovic, a student at our
University who
participated in the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville. Based on discussion
and investigation with
law enforcement, our attorneys and our Office of Student Conduct, there is no
constitutional or legal
reason to expel him from our University or to terminate his employment.
We realize there are concerns regarding the safety of our campus, particularly for
students, faculty and
staff. Our Police Department has been coordinating resources and information with
all local law
enforcement agencies to ensure that we have a safe campus. We have a strong law
enforcement
community in northern Nevada as well as federal law enforcement representatives who
are working
closely with members of University Police Services to ensure that our campus
remains a safe and
welcoming place.
We are also providing resources for faculty and students in how best to discuss and
interpret
information related to the events in Charlottesville, and, in a larger context, how
important subjects
such as race relations figure into a positive learning atmosphere in our classrooms
and in our curriculum.
Our Diversity Initiatives Office is currently working with administration, academic
leadership and
Student Services in developing a landing point of information and upcoming training
sessions so that our
faculty has all of the tools necessary to conduct civil and positive discussion
regarding these important
issues.
With students soon to move back onto campus, we are stressing that we must be
vigilant regarding
what we see and hear. We cannot ignore insensitive comments, hateful language or
actions that
threaten the safety of members of our community. Please report any of this type of
behavior
immediately to our Title IX office, 784-1547, or Police Department, 784-4013.
The First Amendment freedom of free speech requires us all to understand that
sometimes support of
this freedom can be uncomfortable. It is one of the most difficult freedoms we live
with. It requires us to
support the right of people to express views which we sometimes vehemently
disagree.
Sincerely,
Marc

https://www.unr.edu/equal-opportunity-title-ix
https://www.unr.edu/police

Marc A. Johnson, President

Office of the President/0001
201 Clark Administration Building
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557-0001
Phone: (775) 784-4805
E-mail: marc@unr.edu