As violence in Gaza from Israel’s response to a Palestinian terrorist group carried into another month, UNC leadership shared a message on Thursday asking for “peaceful dialogues” to strive for the safety of all community members.
In a letter shared to students, faculty and staff, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Provost Christopher Clemens acknowledged the campus has been affected by the latest round of violence that escalated with Hamas’ attack in Israel on October 7. The administrative leaders said there’s been an “increase in dangerous rhetoric targeting various members of our community,” which threatens both safety and the ability to allow for open expression or discussions.
“We have a commitment to allow both internal and external groups to express their opinions under the First Amendment, even views some find repugnant,” wrote Guskiewicz and Clemens. “We are also committed to institutional neutrality on political matters, but we cannot remain neutral about behaviors that are corrosive to the campus climate or threaten members of our community. Our students, faculty and staff contribute to a long tradition of vigorous debate and public engagement on our campus, where they enjoy a culture of lively exchange of ideas that contributes to better knowledge.
“We all deserve to live and work on our campus safely without fear of being targeted by hateful speech,” the university leaders continued. “We are disappointed by some of the messaging we have seen and heard in our classrooms, on our sidewalks and in social media posts aimed at members or groups in our community.”
While all Tar Heels are free to express their opinions, we all deserve to live and work on campus without fear of being targeted by hateful speech. @JChrisClemens and I call on you to engage in peaceful dialogue and live up to our motto of Lux Libertas https://t.co/si3VcCCcBq
— Kevin Guskiewicz (@KevinGuskiewicz) November 9, 2023
In addition to the examples cited in Thursday’s letter, UNC’s campus was also the site of a pro-Palestinian rally organized by some campus community members on October 12. The event was non-violent, but tensions rose between as Jewish community members and Israel supporters began to protest and respond at the same site. Around the same time as the demonstration, Guskiewicz condemned antisemitism and any type of hate crimes or violence on campus during his University Day address. He later sent a longer letter to the campus community reiterating UNC’s values and commitment to safety.
On October 31, social media posts saying a Muslim UNC student was attacked on Franklin Street by someone wielding a knife and wearing an Israeli flag sparked more concern. No assault report was filed to the Chapel Hill Police Department — but the UNC Muslim Student Association used the opportunity to call for the university to do more to help students feel safe.
Guskiewicz and Clemens urged the Carolina community to “lead by example by engaging in peaceful dialogues.”
“Let us demonstrate how people of different backgrounds and perspectives can come together and truly listen and learn from each other in an environment where everyone can feel safe and respected,” the administrators wrote. “Each of us plays an important role in understanding the challenges facing our world and showing compassion, empathy and understanding for one another even when we disagree.
“Not only can we do better,” they concluded, “we can embrace our duty to bring light rather than heat to the discussion and live up to our motto of Lux Libertas.”
To read Guskiewicz and Clemens’ full letter to the UNC campus community, click here.
Photo via Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill.
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