Published November 1, 2023
Dear UB Community Members,
As I have said many times before, at UB, we are deeply committed—evidenced by our policies, practices and traditions—to ensuring a diverse, equitable and welcoming academic environment for all of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors.
The purpose of this letter is to remind our university community that any harassing conduct has no place at UB. This includes antisemitic, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab harassment, or any other harassing conduct targeting any individuals or groups. Again, I cannot state strongly enough that this harmful behavior has no place in our university.
If these types of behaviors are made evident, I encourage members of our university community to report such incidents of bias-related harassment:
For our students, bias-related incidents regarding intolerant behaviors based on a person’s race, national origin, sexual orientation or other protected factor may be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students or the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion;
For our employees, bias-related incidents should be reported to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; and
If any member of the UB community experiences an incident of physical confrontation or injury, they are urged to contact University Police at 716-645-2222.
Ensuring a diverse, equitable and welcoming academic environment is accomplished, in part, through abiding by university protocol. I am aware of complaints about an incident today in which messages were written in chalk on the exterior walkways at several locations on our North Campus. While authorized chalking is periodically done on campus walkways by units such as Student Life or UB Athletics, unauthorized chalking and graffiti on campus buildings and walkways is considered impermissible and subject to removal by University Facilities.
We recognize that these are difficult, challenging times. As a university community, we must continue to center our discourse and conduct in respect for one another. At UB, this is the hallmark of what it means to be a community.
Sincerely,
Satish K. Tripathi
President
