Ohio University

Dear Students and Colleagues,

Words are powerful!

Words can help us to celebrate, to inform, dispute, or support. Simply put, words can unite, and words can divide. The beauty and power of words is that they can have different meanings to different people. Sometimes words heal. Other times, those same words can hurt.  

Yesterday, I met with students and members of our Hispanic/Latino community who saw words that troubled them on the Graffiti Wall. Indeed, this wall is a place of free speech and expression; however, the words painted were troubling because they had a very different meaning to some than they may have to others viewing the message or even to those who painted the message.

The students, faculty and staff with whom I met explained to me that those words were ones of unwelcome, of divide. They said Ohio University has always been a place that they consider “home” and upon viewing these words, they questioned whether they would continue to be welcome – a feeling shared more broadly in our nation as we grapple with feelings of intolerance and experiences of bias. I reaffirmed that the Hispanic/Latino members of our University community are indeed welcome and valued.

Today, I share this message to reiterate and reassure you that Ohio University remains a home to ALL. We have consistently been a national leader when it comes to inclusion. We have made equality and diversity a campus-wide priority throughout our storied 212-year history and we will continue to do so – I can promise you that.

Words are only temporary; however, their impact can be everlasting. So, to the members of the Bobcat community who were hurt by yesterday’s words, here are my words to you: I value you. I believe in you. I support you.

In closing, next week is one of Ohio University’s biggest celebrations of unity – International Week. It is a time I look forward to each year as we celebrate what is different, beautiful and unique about being Bobcats. In the spirit of next week’s events and beyond, I encourage all of us to continue our quest for understanding and to learn about cultures that enrich our community and unite our world.

We are always stronger together!

Cordially,

Roderick J. McDavis