President Daniels and Provost Akridge message on respect and free speech
August 23, 2021
Dear Boilermakers,
Welcome to the 2021-22 academic year! Whether you are a longtime Boilermaker or new to Purdue, we are so glad you are part of our community and are looking forward to working with you over the coming year.
As you know, our Boilermaker community is larger than ever before with a record 10,000-plus students in our entering class. Unlike most of higher education, our enrollment is growing, a testament to the educational experiences created and delivered by our faculty and staff. While we know the exceptional student interest in Purdue will bring some challenges, we also know that with the additional resources invested, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and some patience and grace from all, we will have a great academic year.
We do hope to take a big step toward ‘normal’ after all of the challenges brought on by COVID-19 over past 17 months. That said, we know this virus is far from vanquished and we need your help in keeping Purdue safe and open. We hope by now all of you have viewed the video message sent earlier this month about the need for continued cooperation as we work together to deliver the safe, engaged academic year we all desire.
Whatever COVID-19 brings this year, our community must continue to be one of respect in which we can all live, learn, work and grow together. Each of you, whether you are a student or an employee, has earned your place at this University. You are here because you belong here, and because we want you to succeed. As a university, we are committed to establishing an environment where you can realize your highest aspirations. All of us have a responsibility to support one another in that commitment.
Boilermakers come from all backgrounds and each of us has a unique life experience. Our University must be one where we embrace those differences by fostering an atmosphere where diverse opinions and differing ideas are not only allowed, but encouraged. We are determined that Purdue continue to be a place where the concerns often voiced about higher education — conformity of thought, intolerance of dissent — do not apply.
To that end, at Purdue we protect and promote the right to free and open inquiry in all matters and guarantee all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn. This commitment is documented in The Purdue Principles. We encourage you to review these principles and to remember that with this right comes important responsibility. As Boilermakers, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard that begins with civility and respect for others. Racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry and other forms of discrimination have no place on this campus.
So, as you begin this new academic year, we ask you to respect the right of others to express ideas you may passionately disagree with and to accept the responsibility to speak out vigorously against words that run counter to the values we all hold true as Boilermakers — those of integrity, respect, honor, inclusion, innovation and growth.
We wish you every success in the coming year!
Sincerely,
Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr.
President
Jay T. Akridge
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity