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Statements on Charlottesville events from Pres. Maxey and SGA

August 16, 2017

administration building

To New and Returning Maroons

In a few days, we will begin our 176th year at Roanoke College of educating future leaders for society. The campus is ready for your arrival. We, of course, look forward to your presence because we value you individually, but we also value the community that we all create together.

Events in Charlottesville cause us to remember how important community is, but how fragile it can be. Our hearts and sympathies go out to the loved ones of all three of the wonderful Virginians who lost their lives and to others who were injured or traumatized. It is tragic when lives are lost defending important values of community and decency. Our thoughts and prayers are also extended to the citizens of Charlottesville and the members of the University of Virginia community. We express our support and concern for them as they recover from the aftermath of violence thrust upon a wonderful city and university community.

This is also a moment to pause and remember what makes communities thrive or falter. The critical bedrock for any successful community is formed when individuals are both respected and affirmed. In Charlottesville, the behavior of the Klan members, anti-Semites, and white supremacists was unacceptable and appalling to anyone who respects how deeply fellow human beings should be valued. It is wrong to direct hateful behavior toward particular groups of people. We must affirm that fact, without equivocation.
When you arrive, I hope you will seek opportunities to enhance our community at Roanoke. All are welcome here to pursue their educational goals. All are welcome here to be respected. All are welcome here to learn from one another with civility.

In times of trial it is helpful to go to our common roots of purpose and mission. The Constitution of the United States and its Bill of Rights have served our Nation for 228 years. We can look there now for guidance. We can also look to the Roanoke College mission statement for guidance: "In keeping with its history and mission, the College strives to be a diverse community, nationally and internationally," it states. We are a college that strives to be a diverse community that values civil and respectful discussions of various points of view with all of the benefits that go with it.

We treasure our College Community and we want to continue the task of building it together. That means that our campus is a safe environment for all. It means that we understand that learning from others is a key component of our life together. It means that civility and respect are required of all of us, as is defending those principles and calling out behavior that is contrary to our principles.

I look forward to welcoming you soon to this wonderful community. I respectfully request for us to work together to live our mission, build our community, and make our society a better place for all. That is the Roanoke College way.

President Michael Maxey

Roanoke welcomes students of all religions, students from all socio-economic backgrounds, students who are LGBTQ, you, students of all family structures, students of all races, ethnicities and nationalities, students with diverse abilities

Roanoke College SGA Stands with Charlottesville and UVa

Following the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Executive Board of the Roanoke College Student Government Association released the following statement:

"The Roanoke College Student Government Association firmly condemns the recent vile and cowardly acts of racism, white supremacy, white nationalism and terrorism in the City of Charlottesville and on the grounds of the University of Virginia. This evil is indefensible and has no place in civil society."

"Furthermore, the Executive Board of the Roanoke College SGA encourages the Roanoke College community to respect and love all people regardless of race and ethnicity, pursuant to the policies and missions of Roanoke College."

"We are closely watching the pursuit of justice in these matters, and our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the City of Charlottesville, and the students, faculty and staff of the University of Virginia."

The Executive Board of the Roanoke College Student Government Association is comprised of President Leah Weinstein '18, Vice President Bailey Smith '18, Treasurer Yipeng Wang '19, Secretary Olivia Kitt '20, and Attorney General Alex Boone '18. The Roanoke College SGA represents over 2,000 students enrolled at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia.