10/02/2019
OCTOBER 2, 2019
Subject: Campus Activity Today
To the Campus Community:
At noon today, a group that has no affiliation with Rutgers will exercise their First Amendment rights on public space in front of the Campus Center. The organization, Bible Believers, is known for spewing beliefs that reflect their hatred for diverse members of our society.
The rhetoric likely to be expressed by this handful of individuals in no way reflects the values of our Rutgers University–Camden community. The beliefs held by this organization are abhorrent to our culture of inclusion.
As a public institution, Rutgers is obligated to honor free speech in public spaces, regardless of how vehemently we may be opposed to their hateful beliefs. Nonetheless, the right to express opinions is enshrined in our democracy.
This group thrives on conflict. They target college campuses like ours because they want us to respond. Instead, we will offer an opportunity for positive and constructive dialogue in the Raptor Roost on the lower level of the Campus Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Please join the Student Governing Association, the Wellness Center team, and representatives from the interfaith and diversity and inclusion offices for an open conversation about how our campus community can safeguard against the sentiments of those who seek to divide our society. Free pizza will be provided.
I know that those members of our campus community who intend to express their own viewpoints to this group will do so in a non-violent manner that is in keeping with our campus value of open and spirited dialogue. The Rutgers University Police Department will be present to help maintain order.
Assaults on common values and basic decency can be unsettling. Students feeling the need to do so should seek assistance from the counseling services offered by the Wellness Center located in the Campus Center.
I look forward to seeing many of you join our constructive dialogue in the Raptor Roost during 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today
Mary Beth Daisey
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Mary Beth Daisey
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Rutgers University—Camden
303 Cooper Street, Camden, NJ 08102
[email protected]
http://studentaffairs.camden.rutgers.edu