News

University of Massachusetts > News > News

President Wilson statement on Levasseur invitation

"We share Gov. Patrick's concerns and strongly disapprove of Raymond Luc Levasseur's pending appearance on campus. We believe that Levasseur sets a deplorable example for our students and for the University community. The use of violence as a means of achieving political goals is antithetical to everything we stand for as a University. We also regret the pain and anguish his visit causes for victims and survivors. It is important to note that Levasseur has not received a formal invitation from the University of Massachusetts or from any of its officials. The decision to invite him was made by a small number of faculty members. With that decision having been made, we see no way of preventing a speaking appearance, based on the free speech and free assembly rights we enjoy in this country and based on well-established principles of academic freedom. While we see no legitimate way to prevent this event from taking place, Chancellor Holub and I have instructed that no state funds be used to support this activity. We know that Gov. Patrick strongly supports us in this position."

Jack M. Wilson
President
University of Massachusetts

Contact: Robert P. Connolly, 774-445-7188

11/10/09

Back

The PDF files on this page require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.