August 14, 2017
Dear Members of the Tufts Community,
In the wake of the incidents in Charlottesville this weekend, I write to condemn the acts of racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry and violence, and to offer Tufts’ prayers for the victims, their families and the communities harmed by the actions of white supremacists.
As we welcome students back to our campuses, these terrible incidents call on us to reassert our university’s commitment to treating each other with respect and valuing each other’s experiences and perspectives.
Tufts is a community that welcomes people from all walks of life. The free exchange of ideas has been a hallmark of this university since its founding in 1852, and we embrace the expectation that dialogue will be civil and respectful. We must stand up to threats, intimidation, harassment and violence that interfere with the rights of our community members to participate in campus life.
The well-being of each member of our community remains of the utmost importance, particularly in light of reports that extremist groups are planning demonstrations on Boston Common this weekend. In these challenging times, I call on our community to work together to ensure that Tufts remains a place that champions true inclusion, diversity and equity for all.
Best wishes,
Tony Monaco
Tufts University President Anthony Monaco responds to Charlottesville: