Dear DDCE Community,

An incident shortly after midnight Saturday, Nov. 4, has shown that The University of Texas at Austin is not immune from outside protesters on our campus. UTPD was quick to respond and the group left quickly but an image from the event has been circulating on social media.

We are grateful the incident did not escalate and was contained soon after the group gathered. Regardless, the presence of the group on the Main Mall prompts a chilling effect on the campus community. Given what happened in Charlottesville, such imagery as shared on social media, conveys a level of hate that is not acceptable at UT.

Please be assured that the President’s Office, the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement are monitoring this incident and planning how we can combat such future incidents. Colleges and universities across the nation are at risk for continuing incidents as they are often home to the highest ideals for human rights, diversity and social justice.

The MEC and the Gender and Sexuality Center hold regularly scheduled walk-in counseling sessions with counselors from the UT Counseling Center for Mental Health. I will be available to meet with students on Monday, November 6, from 9:30-noon in Main 12 if you have questions or would like to discuss campus climate. I invite you to reach out to DDCE staff members when you need assistance. The DDCE is here to support an inclusive, welcoming campus climate. Our entire team and that of the President’s Office and Division of Student Affairs want to ensure all of our students feel safe and at home on our campus.

Sincerely,

Leonard N. Moore
Interim Vice-President for Diversity and Community Engagement
George Littlefield Professor of American History