ROCHESTER, Minn. – The president of Rochester Community and Technical College, Jeffery Boyd, has reached out to fellow college leaders about finding a balance between campus free expression and protests that carry potential for disruption and violence. Specifically Boyd said he has has initiated dialogue with President Ken Janz at Winona State and Lori Carrell at UM-Rochester. None of the southeast Minnesota campuses has had the anti-Israel protests that have put several universities into gridock. Boyd’s spokesperson, Nathan Stoltman, issued a statement that although RCTC has yet to experience disruptions regarding Middle East issues, the college is prepared to address those issues with a cross-campus group of faculty and staff should they come forward.
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Stoltman: “The diversity of our students and employees is one of our most important assets, and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion makes our college stronger. We fully support freedom of speech and freedom of expression. A marketplace of ideas and diversity of opinions is an essential part of the learning experience we offer to our students. There is no conflict in our commitment to both of these principles– in fact, they are both essential to the higher education experience. We welcome opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to engage with others on local, national and global issues with civil and engaged expression. Doing so presents an opportunity to build a better,” stronger and more diverse and welcoming community. We believe in the right to peaceful protest as a means of advocating for social change.” However, we reject violence and lawlessness in any form as an expression of protest. Instead, we encourage students, faculty, and staff to engage with others according to the law with mutual respect, civility, empathy and courage, and in a way that is not substantially disruptive.