Quarterly Quotes +: It's a Beautiful Day For Institutional Neutrality

When is it appropriate to take sides?

Should public university leaders take a stand on political issues? According to our Chancellor of color, yes (emphasis ours):

Last Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 legal decision that decriminalized abortion for half a century. Friday’s decision reverses a half-century of legal protections for women’s rights to bodily and family planning autonomy. As we grapple with this new reality and assess what it means for members of our community, I want to assure you that the health and well-being of all impacted by the decision is our top priority… As conversations about the ruling broaden in the coming weeks, please know that our teaching, research, and community engagement will continue to be directed at ensuring equity in access to reproductive health services.

UMass Boston’s Chancellor taking sides on Roe v. Wade, 6/28/22. At least he knows what a woman is.

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Unfortunately, in what can only be described as a brazen challenge to the human rights of LGBTQIA+ communities, a wave of state legislation and rhetoric targeting LGBTQIA+ individuals has surged in recent months. The scope of these legislative initiatives is breathtaking, touching virtually every aspect of LGBTQIA+ self-definition, expression, and social engagement. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a leading LGBTQ advocacy group, more than 470 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills have been introduced this year alone by state legislatures around the country, including bills preventing trans youth from accessing health care; censoring school curricula; prohibiting drag performances; excluding transgender athletes from school sports; and banning transgender students from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity.

UMass Boston’s Chancellor taking sides on LGBT+ legislation, 6/15/23. Maybe he doesn’t know what a woman is.

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We entirely concur with the Healey – Driscoll Administration statement, “We want to make sure that students of color, LGBTQ+ students, first generation students, and all students historically underrepresented in higher education feel welcomed and valued at our colleges and universities. Today’s decision, while disappointing, will not change our commitment to these students.”

UMass Boston’s Chancellor taking sides on the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, 6/29/2023.

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UMass Boston’s administration’s statement on campus antisemitism, so far.