Dear Spartans and friends,
When I joined Michigan State as president in March, I wrote to you about my hopes to strengthen our culture of collaboration, with mutual respect, civility and dignity.
As we approach the fall semester and the excitement of a new academic year, I would like to elaborate on our university’s potential to model informed, robust and civil conversations around tough issues.
Safe and inclusive environment
My listening tour with Spartans and stakeholders underscored the strong bonds shared within our greater community. To our newest Spartans: Never doubt you have earned your place and belong here. Know that our faculty and staff are dedicated to your success, while a global family of alums more than half a million strong has your back.
Even such strong ties, though, can fray in today’s often contentious atmosphere. That’s one reason Michigan State has centered safety and inclusion in so many of our actions and decisions. We all deserve to feel safe, welcome and valued to reach our full potential. And we must foster an environment free from discrimination and harassment of any kind and protect our community members’ civil rights.
Civil discourse
We all have a role to play in building a more inclusive community, including by engaging in civil discourse across differences. We won’t always agree, and that’s OK. Debating ideas is part of our educational experience and better prepares us to serve as engaged citizens and stakeholders in society. What I ask of all of you is always to demonstrate empathy and intellectual humility. I strive to do the same, as does my leadership team, and we have spent the summer continuing to meet with faculty, staff and student groups to engage in dialogue to better understand one another and find ways to build a strong campus culture together. That includes listening actively, responding thoughtfully and debating respectfully. And it involves understanding that disagreement need not equate to disrespect.
I also ask that you familiarize yourselves with the Board of Trustees Statement on Free Speech and our freedom of speech website, which outline community expectations and offer relevant resources. Freedom of speech is a constitutionally protected right, underpinning our very democracy and academic freedom. That comes with trade-offs. Except for specifically unprotected speech such as true threats, discriminatory harassment or incitement of illegal activity, MSU, as a public university, cannot prohibit or impose discipline for speech or language, even if it seems hurtful, repugnant or contrary to our ideals.
However, we recognize that words have consequences, and hateful rhetoric based on personal identity may harm an individual’s or group’s well-being while also corroding our campus climate. As a proudly public, global research university, such moments call on us to lead by example, collectively represent our values and support one another.
A place for many voices
As fall nears, our campus will soon open its arms to tens of thousands of Spartans who represent many voices and backgrounds. Michigan State is purpose-built to promote understanding across differences.
Here, we offer many avenues for civil discourse and activity, whether through our scholarship, creative activities, engaged dialogues, student organizations, activism or service. With fall election season approaching, MSUvote is encouraging students to engage and register their choices at the ballot box, so watch for upcoming events and activities. MSU Dialogues is another forum for raising awareness and bridging divides.
If we can engage in civil discourse while respecting viewpoint diversity, each of us will gain immeasurable insights into ourselves, our classmates, colleagues and the world beyond. Who, then, will venture to confront the world’s toughest challenges? I believe Spartans Will.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
(pronounced GUS-ka-wits)
President
Professor, Department of Kinesiology