An open letter from the Korbel School faculty and staff:

During the weekend of November 4th, one or more people forcibly entered the
deans suite and academic affairs offices at the Korbel School and vandalized the
offices of our colleagues and friends, including our acting Dean, Dr. Pardis Mahdavi.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and we have no desire to speculate as
to the motives or identities of the perpetrators of this crime.

However, as faculty and staff members at this institution, we acknowledge that the
effects of such incidents can be wide-reaching. Some of us research and teach global
politics and others support global education in various ways. We all are committed
to fostering an environment for sharing ideas, exchanging views, and debating in an
open fashion. Intimidation of intellectuals, attempts to silence those within the
academy calling for change, and overt violent acts toward marginalized
communities are not unique to our time, although many Americans are only now
beginning to understand their endemic nature in our society. Regardless, incidents
like this whether in an attempt to intimidate or not have no place at our
institution.

We write to make absolutely clear that we condemn these acts of forced entry and
vandalism, and whatever motive was behind it. Such actions threaten our society,
our community, our places of work, and our classrooms. We stand united against
violence and intimidation wherever we find them.

Our Deans own research focuses on civility in higher education, cultivating diverse
and inclusive learning environments, and shining a light on often-underreported
incidents of violence and oppression toward women and marginalized communities.
We stand by our Dean and our remarkable colleagues who were affected by this
incident.

As a Korbel community, we reiterate our commitment to support our Dean, our

faculty and staff colleagues, and our students to create an inclusive environment in
which to study and exchange ideas about the major issues of our time. We will not
tolerate acts of aggression, intimidation, or harassment in our academic home. And
we remain ready and willing to serve as resources to anyone who wishes to discuss
the implications of this or similar incidents, which are too familiar on college
campuses today.

Sincerely,

Erica Chenoweth Deborah Avant Rachel Esptein

Cullen Hendrix Karen Feste Chen Reis
Nader Hashemi Jonathan Adelman Lynn Holland
Marie Berry Martin Rhodes Barry Hughes
Alan Gilbert Jack Donnelly Haider Khan
Rebecca Galemba Ilene Grabel Jonathan Moyer
Tamra dEstree Dale Rothman Julia MacDonald
Sam Zhao Tom Rowe Sandy Johnson
Aaron Schneider Oliver Kaplan George DeMartino
Sally Hamilton Heather Rutherford Tara Boyle
Erin Mckay Robert MacDonald Jane Bucher-McCoy
Gina Jannone Felicia Naranjo Martinez Mira Morton Luna
Rachel Stevens Allyson Hodges Jill Schmieder Hereau
Emily Hinga Kendra Grimm Kate Tennis
Arthur Gilbert Paul Viotti Joseph Szyliowicz
Rae Ann Bories-Easley