Dear Lawrence community,
Welcome back to campus. I hope each of you found a way to restore yourself over break.
As we continue to create a more inclusive Lawrence community, we are reminded of the forces that work against us. On a number of occasions over winter term, flyers containing racist, misogynistic, and homophobic messages were found in public locations on campus. Similar flyers were placed in other locations in the Fox Cities and on over one hundred campuses around the country. One set announced a fictitious event intended to mock our efforts to become a more inclusive community.
I am deeply troubled by this activity. It has no place on our campus. Flyers like these make me feel less safe. I am sure they have a similar impact on many of you. If you see flyers like these please continue to notify Campus Safety, the Dean of Students Office, or the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. This activity is under investigation by the Appleton Police Department and by the University.
I also ask each of us to maintain focus on our efforts to create a campus community where all students, faculty, and staff feel safe and supported. We must create an environment which has broad representation and in which all can thrive.
I look forward to seeing each of you on campus in the coming weeks.
Yours,
Mark