Elysian Shadows

from President Lee T. Todd, Jr. <President.uk@...>
reply-to "President Lee T. Todd, Jr." <President.uk@...>
to ALL-CAMPUS@...
date Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 12:14 PM
subject Campus Incident on October 29, 2008
mailed-by lsv.uky.edu

12:14 PM (6 hours ago)

Unfortunately, this morning an effigy of Senator Barack Obama was discovered hanging in a tree on campus. I am personally offended and deeply embarrassed by this disgusting episode. This is not reasonable political expression; it is just malicious. And it is unacceptable.

On behalf of the University of Kentucky I apologize to Senator Obama and his family. I will personally assure them that this is not who we are as a University or as a state.

As President of the University of Kentucky, I feel outraged and hurt. I am outraged because we work very hard, every day, to build bridges across the divides. Diversity and inclusion are among our most precious core values. Episodes like this serve only to erode our confidence in and respect for one another.

Regardless of your political opinions or the candidates you support, a University such as ours must be a place where spirited discussion can take place, but within the bounds of civility, common sense, and respect for the views and feelings of others. We have insisted - and we will continue to insist - that we as a University and as a state rise above hatred and acts of malice or ignorance. The line separating civil discourse from unacceptable behavior has been crossed, constituting a clear violation of the University's code of ethics, and possibly constituting criminal acts, which would also violate University regulations. Such acts will not be tolerated. Those found responsible will be subject to the full force of university, state, and federal rules and regulations.

There is an on-going investigation into this incident, which includes federal authorities. If you have any information that would assist in this investigation you have a responsibility to contact the UK Police Department (257-1616).

MakazeGmaer wrote:This just shows that with out a doubt that if Obama is elected, he will most likely be assassinated. And God forbid it be a white guy who did it, would spark what i believe to be the next civil war

ultimatedragoon69 wrote:honestly i don't know anyone that is voting for Mcain, i myself am not voting at all but that is only a personal choice. I can't believe things like this still happen just makes me sick.

Orgodemir-k wrote:We're having a mock election at school on the third, and all but four people I've talked to are voting for McCain.

dandymcgee wrote:

Orgodemir-k wrote:We're having a mock election at school on the third, and all but four people I've talked to are voting for McCain.

We had one yesterday, Obama won over McCain ~900 to ~300.

from President Lee T. Todd, Jr. <President.uk@...>
reply-to "President Lee T. Todd, Jr." <President.uk@...>
to ALL-CAMPUS@...
date Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 4:47 PM
subject Campus Incident Update
mailed-by ...

New developments have occurred in the unfortunate effigy incident on the UK campus Wednesday. Two men have been arrested in the case, one has been identified as a UK student and the other is not affiliated with the university. I want to commend our UK Police Department for its professional and expedient action in this case. The criminal case is now in the hands of the Fayette County Attorney and the Fayette Court system and any further details related to the case will be release through the County Attorney's Office.

In addition to the criminal charges, the UK student is subject to disciplinary action as defined in the UK Student Code and Governing Regulations of the University.

The university has a code of student conduct that establishes behavioral expectations for students. An initial determination of responsibility for a violation of the code and an appropriate sanction is made by the Dean of Students Office. In this process, all students' records including any disciplinary records are confidential in accordance with university regulations, and state and federal law. So this is not a process in which we will be able to share any additional information.

As outrageous and offensive an act as the effigy was, I truly believe it has mobilized our campus, the community and the state in an effort to battle racism and hate and seek the better angels of our nature. Clearly, we have much work to do in educating each other about tolerance and mutual respect.

I have been extremely moved by the outpouring of concern generated by this incident. I want to thank the many students, alumni, faculty, staff and concerned citizens who have contacted us since the incident. I also want to thank the nearly 700 participants in Wednesday night's campus forum. This truly gave our campus and our city leaders an opportunity to share their feelings and to unify our efforts to encourage diversity and respect for each other.

We cannot forget yesterday's unseemly incident. Rather, we must use that event to help us build a more welcoming University and a stronger and more inclusive community.