Rao officially speaks out on neo-Nazis
University President Michael Rao sent a letter to the CMU community Thursday explaining why Central opposes the hate-related group that considered forming here last semester.
The mass e-mail – sent to students, faculty and staff – was ready for release in early December after rumors surfaced about a possible neo-Nazi group coming to campus.
After talking with students, however, Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe said he felt releasing CMU’s position in January would be more effective because students would not be distracted by exams.
“The president wanted to time it appropriately so students would have time to attend to it,” Roscoe said.
Director of Student Life Tony Voisin said it was important for Rao to sort out all the information required to make a statement.
“It is not about the timing, but the message,” he said.
The letter, which is the first time Rao has addressed the issue, came days before the campus celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Week, which begins Monday.
Rich Morrison, associate vice president of Public Relations and Marketing, said the timing of the e-mail works well with MLK Week, but it “wasn’t the specific reason to hold (the letter).”
Rao wrote in the letter about how the university’s values promote safety on campus.
He said he supports free speech, but he also supports the right to disagree.
“I disagree and disapprove of views that assert that one group is superior to another or views that assert that members of a group should be treated in an offensive or degrading manner based on their identity,” Rao wrote. “Any statement intended to induce fear or anxiety in others is inappropriate.”
He also praised students who spoke out against the possibility of a hate-related group at CMU.
Morrison said many from the CMU community already have responded to the letter. By next week the responses will be compiled and a summary will be made available to the university.
