Dear Rice Community,
As we approach the end of the semester and year, and, with many of you leaving for a well-deserved holiday break, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued commitment to helping move the university forward in the most positive way.
This has been a challenging semester on many fronts, especially in regard to the tragic conflict and violence in the Middle East, which has caused tremendous pain for so many in our campus community and beyond.
I recently had a conversation with local leaders where I was asked about, among other things, this past week’s congressional hearing on antisemitism on university campuses. These leaders inquired about how I would deal with a call for the genocide of members of the Jewish community. My resolute response was that Rice unequivocally considers calls for violence or genocide against Jewish students or any other group to be evil, wrong and immoral. I noted that such behavior violates Rice’s policies and could violate federal law. We strongly denounce antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of hatred and intolerance that are antithetical to our values and our mission. We will not tolerate such behavior and will remain vigilant in monitoring these actions while providing the Rice community many avenues to report wrongful conduct.
Earlier this month, Provost Amy Dittmar announced that, starting in January, we will launch a series of conversations that will engage students and leading Rice scholars in discussions that, I greatly hope, will provide a foundation for honest and open dialogue about the Middle East. While such discussions won’t result in everyone agreeing about every aspect of this issue, the exchanges that ensue will provide deeper insights into the complexities of the conflict. Our goal is to build greater understanding and more compassion among members of our community. You can read the provost’s full communication here.
These conversations are in addition to a wide range of resources that Rice has provided pertaining to the Middle East conflict. Additional student resources, including counseling, provided by our Dean of Undergraduates Bridget Gorman can be reviewed here.
Rice is an incredible community of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Our students are smart, passionate and principled. Our faculty, staff and alumni are dedicated supporters of Rice and its mission to strive for excellence in all that we do. In addition, Rice is profoundly shaped by a unique culture of care that is central to what makes this university a special place to live and learn.
I look forward to resuming our work in the new year when we will again come together to make Rice, Houston, our country and the world a better place for us all. Please take time over the next few weeks to rest and reflect. As you do so, in this holiday season, please remember those who are less fortunate.
Season's greetings and warm regards,
President Reginald DesRoches