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I want to recognize the Department of Ethnic Studies for its decision to remove its Oct. 22 online statement. 

My heart continues to weigh heavy for all being impacted by this conflict. On Oct.11, we issued a statement decrying the horror of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. To the many who have constructively shared your anger, concern and perspectives with us, thank you for your engagement. 

Our mission at CU Boulder is to educate students and spur innovation and research to have a positive impact on our society. This month, some of our students, faculty and staff have reported that they don’t feel safe and are in fear of being harassed and discriminated against. The university will continue to stand for academic freedom, free speech and nondiscrimination, but we will never condone or abide the direct or indirect endorsement of antisemitism, Islamophobia, violence, discrimination, racism or hatred in any form. Any instances of verbal, written, physical threats or racial harassment made towards members of the CU Boulder community should be reported to the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance and the CU Police Department. 

Over the last several years, we have taken steps to facilitate an inclusive campus culture built upon the values of our Colorado Creed, but more work needs to be done. To date, we have issued additional guidance to academic administrators and stepped up security and outreach to affected student groups. Our webpage dedicated to this issue includes links to all this information and additional resources. My absolute expectation is that faculty in every department across campus will manage classroom discussions in manners that are respectful of all members of our student community.

The free exchange of ideas is difficult. How we express ourselves has the power to deepen our understanding of each other or to divide us. Moving forward, I encourage us to continue expressing ourselves, to listen openly to what others are saying, and to do so with care, empathy and lasting peace in mind.

Philip DiStefano
CU Boulder Chancellor

While the principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression protect the speech of University of Colorado Boulder faculty, staff and students, that does not mean their points of view represent the perspectives of the university—nor that we endorse them.

The statement recently posted on the Department of Ethnic Studies website is not an official CU Boulder position on the Israel-Hamas War. The University of Colorado president and chancellors shared on Oct. 11.

The university will continue to stand for academic freedom, free speech and nondiscrimination, and we will never condone or abide the direct or indirect endorsement of antisemitism, Islamophobia, violence, discrimination, racism or hatred in any form. Productive discussion is at its core inclusive discussion, and any expression that aims to harass or demean others is antithetical to our values as an institution.  

As world events unfold, it is the responsibility of institutions like ours to ensure the safety and belonging of every member of our community and engage and support discussions about emotionally charged topics in order to reach a better understanding of these complex and important issues.

I hope that as a university, we can embody the peaceful and thoughtful exchange of ideas that we wish for the rest of the world.

Philip DiStefano
CU Boulder Chancellor