March 18, 2025
Dear Faculty Senate members,
We are deeply troubled by the vandalism at Provost McCauley’s home in the early hours of Sunday morning this week. An object was thrown through a bedroom window and “Free Palestine,” “Divest,” and “No Honor in Genocide” was spray-painted on the front of the house.
There have been no arrests, and we cannot speculate on who committed these crimes, but we reject any act of violence. As we have written previously, the most fundamental condition at any institution of higher learning and any healthy democracy is that we must address political conflict through open debate. Even when faced with disagreement or apathy, we must deal with problems through sustained verbal argument, reasoned opinions, and demonstrated facts. Protest is a legitimate tool to voice dissent, but violence is not.
We express deep concern for Provost McCauley and her family.
Sincerely,
Rebekah Modrak
SACUA Chair