Michigan Tech’s commitment to diversity and inclusion—Faculty/Staff

by Rick Koubek, President

Dear Faculty and Staff:

I want to boldly emphasize to you that Michigan Tech condemns discrimination and racism in all their ugly forms, including ableism, homophobia, sexism, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and xenophobia. As I indicated at the December Board of Trustees meeting, they have no place on our campus. We can only be a truly great institution with a welcoming and inclusive community.

Michigan Tech’s University Senate provides a vital forum for discussing matters of importance to the University community. My thanks to the faculty and staff who contribute their time serving on the Senate.

On December 9, the University Senate passed resolution number 41-21. Last Friday, January 22, a constituent who is a tenured faculty member submitted a letter to the Senate in response. These documents have entered public dialogue both here and off campus.

Over the past several days, I have received communications from the University community expressing their concerns. As president, I apologize to those of you who have been hurt or offended. We are proud of the remarkable students, faculty and staff at Michigan Tech and are fortunate you have chosen MTU as your university home.

I have asked our CFO to lead development of a comprehensive career advancement program for staff, and planning is underway. Our Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and others are involved to assure our values of diversity and inclusion are embedded in the program.

Michigan Tech is fortunate to have the ADVANCE Initiative on our campus. MTU’s ADVANCE is a nationally recognized effort “committed to education and dialogue as critical activities in making equity and inclusion integral to faculty, student, and community life at Michigan Tech.” I encourage you to join me in using the valuable resources on their website and participate in upcoming workshops as they become available.

I also have asked our Provost to work in collaboration with the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and academic leaders across campus to develop specific diversity and inclusion action plans for each of their units.

Please help create an environment where all our students feel welcome.

Sincerely,

Rick Koubek

President

Michigan Tech’s commitment to diversity and inclusion—Students

by Rick Koubek, President

Dear Students,

On December 9, the University Senate, a representative body for faculty and staff, passed resolution number 41-21 Embodying University Values: Condemning Hate Speech, White Supremacy, and Ethnically and Racially Motivated Intolerance. Last Friday, January 22, a University Senate constituent who is a tenured faculty member submitted a letter to the Senate in response. By now, I know many of you are aware of this letter and feel hurt, concerned, and disappointed.

To all students: I want to boldly emphasize to you that Michigan Tech condemns discrimination and racism in all their ugly forms, including ableism, homophobia, sexism, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and xenophobia. I delivered this message at the Board of Trustees public forum in December, and I will continue to share and amplify it because I firmly believe it. We can only be a great institution with a truly welcoming and inclusive campus.

Over the past few days, many of you have reached out to me and other faculty and staff members expressing your concerns. As president of Michigan Tech, I apologize to those of you who have been hurt and I want you to know that it’s important to me that you feel safe, valued, and heard here at Michigan Tech.

When I joined the Michigan Tech family in 2018, we put forth a series of Tech Forward initiatives. Recognizing that we need to work together to improve our campus climate, one of these initiatives is focused on diversity and inclusion. Since then, we have been taking action and making continued investments in this area. Dr. Wayne Gersie, our Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, now serves on the President’s Council, and we’re in the process of developing a strategic plan regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion that will involve every single department on campus.

And, because everyone plays a role in advancing our campus climate, I also want to note some excellent resources currently available on campus to all faculty, staff, and students:

Again, please know that discrimination, racism, and hate have no home at Michigan Tech. Thank you to those who have shared your concerns, and those who have engaged in dialogues, even when they are uncomfortable. We’re proud to have each of you as a student, and I look forward to working together as we make our campus even more inclusive.

Sincerely,

Rick Koubek

President

MTU Stands Against Acts of Violence Demonstrated Yesterday in Nation’s Capitol

by Rick Koubek, President

Dear Members of the Michigan Tech Community:

While we support the right to freedom of expression, Michigan Tech stands against acts of violence as demonstrated yesterday in our nation’s Capitol. These actions contradict our work in creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community of students and scholars.

In today’s climate, universities must remain stalwart advocates for free speech. Let us not take this responsibility lightly. We must regard diversity of thought as the impetus for discussion, not an excuse for intolerance or violence. And, we must transcend our personal ideologies for the purpose of enlightenment, not prejudice. As we reflect on current events and the role each of us have in forming a more perfect union, I ask you to join me in reaffirming our commitment to civility and public discourse, which includes:

  • Celebrating the exchange of ideas and respecting individual differences.
  • Inspiring an engaged community that actively seeks improvement through acceptance and understanding.
  • Creating and sustaining an inclusive and respectful atmosphere.
  • Promoting mutual respect and dialogue as we seek to sustain a culture of collegiality, safety, support, and openness across diverse perspectives, traditions, and identities.

There is much work to be done, but I have great confidence in the ability of our campus community and our nation as a whole to advance the ideals of our democracy. Our future depends on it.

Rick Koubek, President

Board of Trustees Address

by Rick Koubek, President

Chair, Members of the Board and audience members. Thank you for joining us this morning.

This holiday season, in particular, has provided a much needed moment of reflection. And, while there were many uncertainties in 2020, the year did bring into focus that which is certain.

For example, we know the hands-on “Michigan Tech Experience” is a hallmark of our institution, but to have that dampened this past semester due to COVID restrictions only amplified its importance.

We know our faculty and staff are committed to student success, but to see their remarkable efforts to deliver the very best educational experience possible, within the constraints provided, brought even greater certainty as to their commitment.

We know that Michigan Tech’s core value of community carried the university and our local area through difficult times in the past, such as the Father’s Day flood. Once again, we see just how important it is for us to all work together. The success of Tech during this past semester has been underpinned by collaboration and community. That is for certain.

And finally, although these are indeed stressful times for all, understanding, mutual respect and might I say, kindness, continues to be a special aspect of Michigan Tech. Without that, where would we be…and who would we be?

Just last week the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, also known as FIRE, reaffirmed Michigan Tech’s “green” rating for policies and actions protecting free speech on campus. I point out that only 56 universities in the country received a “green” rating and Michigan Tech continues to be the only university in Michigan.

While we strongly support free speech on campus, Michigan Tech does not condone hate speech, acts of violence, hatred, and racism. From ablesim and anti-semitism to white supremacy and xenophobia, we do not welcome such behavior on our campus. This directly opposes our work in creating a just, equitable and diverse community of students and scholars.

I am proud of the many things our faculty and staff have accomplished together to create a welcoming environment for our employees and students. But, we all know, the job is not complete.

And today, I am pleased to formally introduce Michigan Tech’s new Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Wayne M. Gersie. Wayne joins us from Penn State, where he led diversity efforts in the College of Engineering and the Applied Research Lab. Over the next few months, Dr. Gersie will be developing the diversity and inclusion framework for Michigan Tech. I hope you all will support him, and join him, as he assumes this important leadership position for our university.

To our December 2020 graduates, I looked forward to shaking your hand in congratulations and giving you your diploma tomorrow. This is one of the gatherings we will deeply miss due to the pandemic. So, let me say congratulations to all and we can’t wait to see the impact you will have on our world with your degree from Michigan Tech.

And finally, it is with mixed emotions that we also congratulate Dr. Bonnie Gorman, our Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, as she concludes a 25 year career at Michigan Tech and moves on to retirement. Bonnie, thank you for your remarkable contributions to Michigan Tech over this time. Your unfailing commitment to the students of Michigan Tech has inspired us all. Best wishes on your next adventure.

In conclusion, to all of you this holiday season…may all good things come your way.

Respect, Reason, and Responsibility

by Rick Koubek, President

Dear Members of the Michigan Tech Community:

Our campus community is enriched by each individual voice on our campus. This includes our students, faculty, and staff who are first-generation, minority, LGBTQ+, nontraditional, traditional, commuter, residential, in-state, out-of-state, international, conservative, and liberal. We respect and celebrate the unique perspectives each of you offer.

Unfortunately, choices made by some individuals during events this past weekend tested the unity of our campus community and raised questions about the role a public university plays in protecting First Amendment rights.

As a public university, Michigan Tech is fundamentally bound to uphold the Constitutional right to free speech. We are legally prohibited from abridging free speech rights beyond restrictions on time, place, and manner, which are content and viewpoint neutral. And, as a taxpayer-funded entity, we cannot approve or deny requests from external or internal groups to use University space based on that group’s perspective.

However, as an institution of higher learning, we also emphasize a value system that prioritizes a respectful, diverse, and inclusive campus community. Our Student Code of Community Conduct promotes the mutual and respectful exchange of perspectives, personal experiences, and ideas that enhance the quality of our learning, interactions, and world view. With that said, everyone has the right to freedom of expression. But, in no way does the University condone hate speech or language that incites violence or fear.

Some of you have emailed me to express your frustration. Others have voiced their concerns publicly. Over the next few weeks, I, along with faculty, staff, and student representatives, will meet with our campus community to listen to your concerns, learn from your experiences, and collaborate on ideas that promote safety, inclusivity, equity, and respect on our campus.

We also encourage faculty, staff, and students to reflect on ways they can facilitate respectful dialogue among our broader community. In our multiple roles as parents, friends, club members, or members of faith communities, we can use our skills to demonstrate our values of diversity, inclusivity, and respect for differences.

The weeks leading up to the election will certainly test our resolve, both individually and as a campus community. We encourage you to demonstrate how free speech contributes to, rather than detracts from, the democratic process by using your free speech rights. We implore you to serve as a model for respect and reason. And, please vote.

Sincerely,

Rick Koubek

President

George Floyd

by Rick Koubek, President

Dear Members of the Michigan Tech Community:

I grieve for George Floyd along with his family, his friends, and our entire nation. His death was egregious.

As we navigate these challenging times together, let us serve as role models for unity and strength. Let us use our voices, our skills, and our influence to advocate for change. And let us elevate the level of public discourse around equity and inclusivity. The responsibility of justice rests on us all and can only be carried out as one community built upon a plurality of voices.

Please know that we are here for you and our hearts are with everyone hurting across the nation and here at home.

Sincerely,

Rick Koubek

President

We Stand Unified

by Rick Koubek, President

Dear University Community,

This weekend we celebrated the 30th annual Parade of Nations. No event better represents our University value of Community. Unfortunately, we learned over the weekend that Temple Jacob in Hancock was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti. These actions and the intentions behind such hate crimes stand in direct opposition to the values that we and so many others in our community embrace.

Please extend your support to Temple Jacob and its members. Our ability to come together in solidarity can demonstrate to all members of our community that they are welcomed and included.

Sincerely,

Rick Koubek

President