Dear Marquette,
As many of you may know, the Wisconsin Supreme Court recently issued a decision regarding a case brought by Marquette University political science professor, Dr. John McAdams. We understand the complexities of this case and encourage students to inform themselves of all the facts going forward, which can be found on Marquette’s website here.
In the wake of this decision, MUSG has felt the responsibility and obligation to address the student body about how we are moving forward as a unified community. We understand that students are feeling a wide variety of emotions regarding this decision, as any diverse community would. As an organization, it is imperative to us that we express our dedication to the safety, well-being, and freedom of the students we represent, regardless of political or religious ideology, race, or sexual orientation. MUSG has supported and will continue to support Marquette’s position in this case. A Marquette student’s well-being was jeopardized by the actions of Dr. John McAdams, and we as an organization will never endorse behavior that forces students to feel unsafe. Every member of the Marquette community— students, faculty, staff, and alumni— should treat one another with respect, regardless of who they are or what they believe. It is our duty as a Catholic, Jesuit community to care for one another, all opinions aside.
Marquette can do better, and that requires us to act. We will make every attempt to put forth our utmost effort to help the university reexamine its current protocols and adjust accordingly to ensure that this never happens again. In these conversations, however, we promise to uphold the core values of our organization— most importantly, to represent all students fairly and equally. We are dedicated to academic freedom and ability to speak freely on campus, but we are equally as dedicated to the respect, protection, and overall safety of our students. We promise to balance these values moving forward to the best of our ability.
It is a privilege to attend a university and live in a nation that enables us to have these conversations. The freedoms we experience everyday living and studying in the United States are freedoms that many individuals will never be able to experience. It is our hope as an organization that, as we benefit from these privileges, we do so with grateful hearts and dedication to our Jesuit values of respect, tolerance, and love.
Sincerely,
Marquette University Student Government Executive Board
Meredith Gillespie, President
Valerie Del Campo, Executive Vice President
Daniel Brophy, Legislative Vice President
Sara Manjee, Outreach Vice President
Brian Kettering, Financial Vice President
Paige Brown-Hunt, Programming Vice President
Yesenia Ortega, Communications Vice President
For more information about MUSG, please visit our website at musg.mu.edu.