The turmoil on campus prompted by the altercation at Campus Copy
Center is of deep concern to us. The welfare of our students is our greatest
responsibility--and our greatest concern.
I am grateful that Gregory Seaton did not suffer any serious physical
harm. But I regret any emotional pain and trauma that he has experienced.
I recognize that there are conflicting versions of what happened
in this incident, and we may never be able to know, with absolute certainty,
what took place.
But with that said, I want to make myself clear: We do not--and
will not --tolerate violence at this University. We do not--and will not--tolerate
discrimination of any sort.
I understand the concerns that so many students have expressed in
the past week. In particular, I have heard from many members of campus
minority groups, who feel at risk in ways that others do not.
Those concerns are real and cannot be brushed off.
We cannot influence how everyone feels about another person. Or how everyone
interprets an event. But we should--and we must --do all we can
to make everyone feel safe-and respected.
I am personally committed--and this University must be committed-to
ensuring that the Penn community is safe and welcoming--to everyone.
With all our accomplishments, all our talent, all our promise, we
cannot consider ourselves truly great if we are not a place where everyone
is treated with dignity.