President's Memo
RE: President's Memo, 12/16
The University of Western Topeka has become aware of some viral opposition to its statement requesting consideration for diversity and inclusion when singing and/or playing holiday music. We would like to take this opportunity to release a well-considered and hopefully non-offensive response.
UWT is steadfastly committed to the ideals of free speech and expression and will never apologize for encouraging respect for diversity. With that said, we are unreservedly sorry if our appeals felt infringing to the religious freedom of members of our community. We in no way intended to denigrate the beliefs of anyone, anywhere.
President Tešanović has accepted full responsibility for allowing his name and title to be added to the memo without knowledge of the content and has taken action to discipline those responsible for the segments found objectionable. Accordingly, James H. Dawes, G.E.D., has been removed from his position as Interim Director of the Center for the Study of Embedded and Underhanded Racism, effective immediately, and the volunteer student assistant who typed the original handwritten memo for posting on the website has also been suspended indefinitely, without pay. Mr. Dawes will remain in charge of the center as "Deputy Interim Director" until a new director is found or controversy dies down enough to allow for him to be reappointed.
Finally, we would like to thank Twitter for their proactive censorship of the now-suspended account created to express opposition to our official statement. Their actions have done more for protecting our reputation than the combined efforts of all of our public relations and administrative staff.
In the spirit of goodwill and reconciliation, UWT is offering a special Nelson Mandela Memorial Tuition Waiver Scholarship (for a limited time) to anyone willing to delete critical comments they may have posted about our statement and/or institution. To redeem this offer, please mail us a screenshot of the original posting(s) and URL. Upon receipt, our Verification and Compliance team will confirm its/their deletion and authorize granting of the Spring 2014 Scholarship. Please note that ALL postings must be removed.
UWT is steadfastly committed to the ideals of free speech and expression and will never apologize for encouraging respect for diversity. With that said, we are unreservedly sorry if our appeals felt infringing to the religious freedom of members of our community. We in no way intended to denigrate the beliefs of anyone, anywhere.
President Tešanović has accepted full responsibility for allowing his name and title to be added to the memo without knowledge of the content and has taken action to discipline those responsible for the segments found objectionable. Accordingly, James H. Dawes, G.E.D., has been removed from his position as Interim Director of the Center for the Study of Embedded and Underhanded Racism, effective immediately, and the volunteer student assistant who typed the original handwritten memo for posting on the website has also been suspended indefinitely, without pay. Mr. Dawes will remain in charge of the center as "Deputy Interim Director" until a new director is found or controversy dies down enough to allow for him to be reappointed.
Finally, we would like to thank Twitter for their proactive censorship of the now-suspended account created to express opposition to our official statement. Their actions have done more for protecting our reputation than the combined efforts of all of our public relations and administrative staff.
In the spirit of goodwill and reconciliation, UWT is offering a special Nelson Mandela Memorial Tuition Waiver Scholarship (for a limited time) to anyone willing to delete critical comments they may have posted about our statement and/or institution. To redeem this offer, please mail us a screenshot of the original posting(s) and URL. Upon receipt, our Verification and Compliance team will confirm its/their deletion and authorize granting of the Spring 2014 Scholarship. Please note that ALL postings must be removed.
Thank you for your consideration and Merry Holidays! Go Ducks!
Yours in celebratory spirit,
Yours in celebratory spirit,
|
Elver Tešanović
President University of Western Topeka |
Joseph D. Willamette
Executive Vice President for External Relations Assistant Professor of Theology and Political Science |
Header photos courtesy of Flickr users dougtone (L) and szasukephotography (R)