Intolerable Acts

September 22, 2003

To the Rutgers University Community:

I am deeply troubled by several offensive acts recently committed on and around the College Avenue campus in New Brunswick. This past weekend, two organizations with strong ties to Rutgers’ Jewish community – Hillel and the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity – were the targets of vicious acts of anti-Semitic vandalism. The Rutgers Hillel facility was defaced with two swastikas, one on the walkway and another on the sign in front of the building. Two swastikas also were painted at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house, on the walkway and on the front door. Two days earlier, Natan Sharansky, the Israeli government minister, was attacked by a University College student in a pie-throwing incident as he was about to speak at an event hosted by Hillel in Scott Hall.

These insensitive acts are an affront to all of us in the university community. They violate the code of human decency that we must uphold in order to engage each other in an enlightened, intellectual and socially aware environment. As we vigorously defend the right of individuals and groups to express their views and opinions in a civil manner, we can never, for a moment, tolerate those who would commit acts that intimidate or physically harm others.

The individual who confronted Minister Sharansky was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. I ask anyone having information that could lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators of the vandalism to contact the Rutgers Police.

On behalf of the university, I extend my deepest regrets to Minister Sharansky and to the members of Hillel and Alpha Epsilon Pi for the distress these despicable actions have caused. I urge all members of the Rutgers community to embrace the broad diversity of culture, ethnicity and viewpoint that enhances our campus life, and to offer those with whom you may disagree the same tolerance and respect you expect others to extend to you.

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jerse