Barron: ‘No Place for Hate at Penn State’

Penn State president Eric Barron penned a strongly-worded letter addressed to the university community on Tuesday.

In light of some national conversation on race, religion, and ethnicity, Barron reminded the Penn State community that the university is meant to be a nondiscriminatory and welcoming environment for people “from all walks of life.”

While the letter didn’t cite a specific incident that inspired a need for rhetoric on behalf of the university president, it came on the same day it was reported that a Penn State student was charged with felony ethnic intimidation.

Barron said that the Penn State community’s diversity is a strength that exists “at the core of what makes Penn State great.”

“We are here to learn from and about one another; our diversity is critical to the education of our students, broadening their exposure to people from very different perspectives, economic and racial backgrounds, and international viewpoints,” Barron said. “Indeed, it is our obligation as a great university to build bridges of understanding and to help the world to recognize and celebrate the intrinsic value of every person.”

Barron also took the opportunity to remind people of resources available, from university police to a service that exists to report bias at Penn State. 

Here’s the letter from President Barron in full:

Dear Penn State Community,

As the fall semester comes to a close, we in this country find ourselves in the midst of an ongoing national conversation focused on important issues of race, ethnicity, religion, intolerance, hate and discrimination. These are critical issues that touch all of our lives, as Penn Staters and as Americans or as visitors to the U.S. I wish to take a few moments now to underscore Penn State’s steadfast commitment to maintaining an open and welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff from all walks of life, and to remind you of available resources and support.

Last year, more than 14,600 of you shared thoughts about the values you feel are at the core of our community. Your feedback both during the survey and in subsequent town hall meetings forms the foundation of the Penn State Values. Though no society is free of discrimination, hate speech or intimidation, you have spoken clearly about the high value you place on community, respect, integrity and responsibility, as well as excellence and discovery. At the center of all of these is mutual respect for one another.

Our diversity as a University community is a key strength. It is at the core of what makes Penn State great. We are here to learn from and about one another; our diversity is critical to the education of our students, broadening their exposure to people from very different perspectives, economic and racial backgrounds, and international viewpoints. Indeed, it is our obligation as a great university to build bridges of understanding and to help the world to recognize and celebrate the intrinsic value of every person.

There is no place for hate, overt or subtle, at Penn State – such actions do not represent our mutually held values. Any violence that causes physical or emotional harm to any individual harms our entire community, too. It takes the commitment of all Penn Staters to maintain an open and caring environment.

It is in that spirit that I remind you of the following resources:

— Students, faculty, staff and other members of the community should report crime to police by calling 911 or by using the online crime reporting form at https://www.police.psu.edu/psu-police/report-crime.cfm.

— To anonymously report an act of hate or intolerance, any member of the community can visit Penn State’s Report Bias website, at https://equity.psu.edu/reportbias.

— Those who feel they are threatened also can contact Penn State’s LGBTQA Student Resource CenterOffice of Student ConductMulticultural Resource Center or the Affirmative Action Office. Resources also are available through Counseling and Psychological Services for those who wish to talk.

— Finally, those who feel they’ve witnessed or experienced an episode of intimidation, discrimination or other ethical violation in the workplace or classroom can file an anonymous report with the Office of Ethics and Compliance hotline, either online or by phone at 800-560-1637.

No community is immune from these issues. Yet I continue to be impressed on a daily basis at the leadership shown by our students, faculty and staff who are committed to bettering society.

Sincerely,

Eric Barron
President, Penn State