Susie and I are praying for those killed and injured during this weekend’s rallies in Charlottesville. We are sickened by this senseless violence and by the racist, white supremacist and Neo-Nazi beliefs on display. These disgusting beliefs violate the most basic principles of decency and our shared humanity.
The University of Nebraska stands with our colleagues at the University of Virginia who are working to keep their community safe, protect the First Amendment rights of all who come to campus, and reject hateful ideology and violence in the strongest possible terms. We are similarly committed to tolerance and inclusion, open and respectful dialogue and the safety and well-being of every member of our community. As we begin a new school year, I hope the entire University of Nebraska family will ask ourselves what more we can do to put those values into action. We have work to do – but I am confident that if each of us recommits to doing all we can to make our campuses safe and welcoming places for every student, employee and Nebraskan who comes here, we will become an even stronger university.