Bored, we decided to call UNT Chancellor Lee Jackson's office today. Spokesman Roddy Wolper told us that he did expect a statement regarding the criticism by Pete Gallegos to be forthcoming, however he has not seen a statement as of yet. He promised to keep us in the loop should such a magical denial and plausible deniability double-speak statement come out today. (We expect it, at best, around 5:02 p.m.)

EDITED TO ADD: STATEMENT RECEIVED, Click Read more. (Thanks Roddy)

Getting up our courage (thanks Jack Daniels) we called Senator Royce West's office regarding the Clinton Highway.
Senator West's Chief Staff tells us: "[His office has received] numerous calls in support for the naming the highway, and none in support of a Ronald Reagan designation. Senator West polled his constituents and they favored this proposal. He is currently polling his collegues under the dome."

If anybody else has an interesting statement to send us, email us.

We'd rather you just email us instead of us having to put our cigarettes down, swallow the drink in our hand and pretend not to be smashed when we call up to the Capitol building. (Plus we admit we scramble when they ask our names...cause 'None ya business' doesn't always create a great dialogue).

University of North Texas System
University of North Texas
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
University of North Texas System Center at Dallas

February 18, 2005

University of North Texas System Statement
from Chancellor Lee F. Jackson

The University of North Texas System takes seriously its mission to deliver excellence in teaching, foster creativity and research and protect academic integrity through free and open inquiry. Our campuses in Denton, Fort Worth, and Dallas are also proud of our commitment to achieve these academic, intellectual and artistic goals in a spirit of mutual respect and tolerance.

The mission statement of the University of North Texas -- reaffirmed by our Board of Regents on February 11 -- includes the pledge that the University "supports a culturally diverse environment and advocates mutual respect for all members of the University community as they strive for excellence," just as it also commits us to preserve "free inquiry."

A recent incident has challenged the University to define and express itself again as a place of both free speech and mutual respect. We know that we can stand consistently behind both of these values -- but we cannot stand silently.

Traditionally, we have not been silent when the right of open expression is challenged, and we will continue to protect the right of free speech on the campuses of the UNT System -- even when the protected speech may be controversial or hurtful.

In the past, we have also expressed, in a variety of ways, the University's official distance from words and actions that discriminate against groups of people in ways that violate the University's pledges of respect and openness. In the most extreme
cases, the University has censured individuals or sanctioned groups; in other cases, we choose to reaffirm our own values.

Two weeks ago, a student group staged an activity to make a political point, which they had a right to do. When they simulated the capture of illegal immigrants, students and others felt that the UNT campus was being presented as a place where our Hispanic students, faculty, staff, colleagues, and visitors could be suspect.

In the days following the event, the University responded internally with meetings and discussions -- but we did not step up to reaffirm clearly our own institutional "mission." We did not emphasize that our campus is a welcoming place, committed to policies that encourage diversity and inclusion.

Although their methods were offensive to many -- on campus and throughout the State -- there is no known basis in law or policy to censure or restrict those who exercised their right to speak on a current issue.

Since this incident was perceived as discriminatory, the University should have done more to reassure those who felt the event was a sign that their families and heritage might be unwelcome on the UNT campus. The UNT System wants all of our campuses to be not only places where knowledge and ideas are discussed freely, but
also institutions of higher education that stand resolutely for acceptance of all persons and ideas.

The University is and must be a place where all persons are welcome, where diversity of background and belief are cherished, and where ideas are to be explored and challenged within a framework of respect and civility.

As our flagship campus, the University of North Texas in Denton has proudly grown for its 115-year history as a place where caring and personal concern for students has been a defining value -- even now as it enrolls more than 31,000 students. The campus has changed dramatically from its early years of tragic racial exclusion. For
fifty years, it has made progress to become a modern campus that strives to reflect the diversity of Texas in its academic and cultural programming as well as its student body, faculty, and staff. There is much more to do, but our goal is clear.

Today I am reaffirming the commitment of the UNT System to support and respect every student, staff, faculty member, and guest who joins our community, as they come to us from every background, belief and national origin.

PinkDome says, "Thanks" But, civility may be something you think is a good idea in the Chancellor's office but when you have kids running around campus being offensive you ought to have a stronger response than 'free speech' and basically, kids will be kids. This isn't the type of gentlemen and scholars we'd be looking to hire to manage our diverse staff of employees in the State of Texas anytime soon. Sorry, doesn't ring true. Good try, though.