Community of Mutual Respect

Published November 8, 2024

Dear University Community:

We have received reports of alleged harassment and intimidation taking place on our campus this week, which University Police are actively investigating. Let me take this opportunity to assure you that UB does not abide harassing and intimidating behavior perpetrated against anyone—not our students, our faculty, our staff or our guests.

I would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate UB’s core values. We are a scholarly community grounded in mutual respect, human dignity and compassion. As such, we have the fundamental right to live, learn, work, conduct research and carry out our university mission in an environment free from disrespect, harassment, intolerance, bigotry and oppression.

Our university community is intrinsically connected by deeply held principles that define us as university citizens. To live as a university citizen means that we engage with others in a respectful manner, even when we profoundly disagree. It means that we not only recognize each other’s unique lived experiences and backgrounds, but we appreciate how this individuality enriches our shared humanity. It means that we prize knowledge, innovation, curiosity and creativity for their ability to expand our mind and help us, in turn, contribute to the betterment of humankind.

Harassment is antithetical to everything we stand for as a scholarly community and—it bears repeating—we will not stand for it. If you have been harassed or intimidated, or if you have witnessed such behavior, please report it to University Police. All reports of alleged harassment or intimidation will be thoroughly investigated.

Thank you for everything you do to contribute to our university community’s climate of mutual respect and tolerance.

Sincerely,

Satish K. Tripathi
President