Marquette University Academic Senate has approved the following on March 20, 2017:
A Resolution Condemning violence and hate speech, expressing support for Muslim students, faculty and staff
WHEREAS freedom of religion is one of our nation’s fundamental legal and ethical principles; and
WHEREAS discrimination on the basis of religion is against our Jesuit values and embracing and respecting all of God’s creations is deeply held; and
WHEREAS Muslims have been part of the United States since its founding and millions of them are currently an important part of our American community, many of whom live in the Milwaukee area and are among our faculty, staff and student body. We recognize that Muslims represent diverse communities who have made innumerable contributions to the economic, social, and political life of American society, as well as to Marquette University; and
WHEREAS the new Executive Order issued on March 6, 2017 restricts entry into the United States for 90 days of all nationals of the majority Muslim countries of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen; and
WHEREAS the Executive Order creates great uncertainty about the ability of current visa holders from these countries to obtain readmission should they leave the country for scholarly or personal reasons; and
WHEREAS the Executive Order may compromise the ability of students and scholars from these countries to renew visas if they expire during the period of restriction of entry, which would impair their pursuit of education, research, or scholarly exchange; and
WHEREAS there has been in recent years an increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes and rhetoric in the US, escalating in recent months with the initiation of public policies that selectively target Muslims, causing Muslims to face physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, and threatening their access to education, employment, and mobility; and
WHEREAS we recognize that all persons should have equal access to a Marquette education and not be denied such due to their country of origin or religion; and
WHEREAS there is recent evidence of hateful occurrences at Marquette University, posing a negative impact on the well-being of our Muslim students, the health of their peer relationships, and ability to thrive in school; and
WHEREAS we recognize the importance of a university environment that ensures the physical and emotional safety of our Muslim students, faculty, and staff and creates the conditions for them to thrive; and
WHEREAS we recognize it is the responsibility of universities to educate students about the social, cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States, to promote awareness of a wide range of religious and cultural traditions, and to teach students to think critically about their own biases;
WHEREAS we recognize the importance of standing in solidarity with and by all groups facing heightened public attacks, as illustrated by Muslims raising $130,000 to repair the Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia and the Jewish community being the primary donors of $60,000 to repair a Tampa mosque vandalized by arson.
Now therefore be it resolved, that the Marquette University Academic Senate
(1) Stands in solidarity with our Muslim students, faculty, and staff and condemns all hateful speech and violent action directed at them;
(2) Rejects any policies that seek to selectively deny Muslims access to education, employment, and mobility.
(3) Commits to fostering a university environment that promotes respect for and curiosity about all religions and cultures, affirms the equal humanity of all members of our community, and rejects all forms of hate and discrimination;
(4) Commits to promoting university policies that foster education and awareness about the contributions of Islam and Muslims to global civilization and American society, as well as the contributions of all groups to global humanity, and to enhancing an educational curriculum that reflects the values expressed in this resolution.