May 2, 2024 - Protests on Our Nation’s College Campuses

Dear Campus Community,  

Like many of you, I’ve been closely watching as college students and individuals across the nation have embraced activism on university campuses in recent weeks to draw attention to the Israel-Hamas war. Both the conflict itself and responses to it affect us all, and I respect the deep compassion and activism displayed by many within our campus community who are passionate about social justice and global affairs. 

I urge all of us to be understanding of one another’s experiences, thoughts, and feelings. As a public institution, Chico State values, promotes, and supports free speech and encourages our students and employees to advocate for what they believe in. At the same time, we are committed to providing a safe and productive environment on our campus for everyone. Please remember any forms of discrimination are completely unacceptable. Antisemitic harassment and threats to Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, Arab, or Palestinian members of the campus community will not be tolerated. Nor will vandalism, graffiti, or destruction of property.  

Please take some time and become familiar with our Time, Place and Manner of Expression Policy, which sets clear guidelines for freedom of expression, and approach this with a mind toward peaceful protest, education for your peers, and community building.  Additionally, as an institution of higher education and one whose members care genuinely for one another, I also would urge anyone who takes a public position on this issue to be mindful of the harm words and actions can have on members of our diverse University community. 

Two recent examples of mindful discussion in practice are a resolution passed by the Associated Students in February, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and condemning a rise of Islamophobic and Antisemitic hate incidences and harassment, as well as recent conversations regarding two resolutions introduced at Academic Senate today. 

If you or anyone you care about on this campus needs support, organizations and offices on campus and off campus are available, including the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the Islamic Center of Chico, and the Chico Hillel Center. Students can also access services at the WellCat Counseling Center via its 24/7 crisis hotline, 1-855-530-6802.  Faculty and staff can call LifeMatters, at 1-800-367-7474 or www.mylifematters.com for 24/7 counseling and other services. Password: csuchico. For more information, go to www.csuchico.edu/eap.      

Thank you for all you do to foster an inclusive and caring campus culture,
Steve Perez