Dear Chancellor Ritchie,
It is a day of many contradictions at the University of Denver. As you may be aware, students, faculty and staff gathered last Friday in celebration of diversity at the DU Diversity Summit. Yet, as we gathered together in recognition and appreciation of those differences, a cloud hung over our community. The appointment of Marc Holtzman came as a surprise to all members of the DU community, staff and students alike. In our effort to uphold the mission you have so boldly set for us this year, of questioning the meaning of our values as we build bridges to the future, we actively engaged in discourse about this appointment, in an effort to better understand the way this decision affects each of us, and the way it will impact our community.
A variety of concerns surfaced, and as undergraduates we came together to discuss and debate the importance of these issues. Among these were:
The lack of student and faculty input into Mr. Holtzman’s appointment is devastating to the campus community. We are concerned for many reasons. First, as an equal opportunity employer, we are concerned that no job description, public posting or qualifications were publicized and released regarding this new university position. In the promotion of a diverse campus community we feel that this did not give access to many other qualified candidates.
Furthermore, the University Planning and Advisory Council has stipulated in its mission and goals that the university campus life is, “distinguished by inclusiveness, collaboration, involvement, responsiveness and accountability,” of which this appointment seriously called into question. Where were voices from the DU community? Where was the advice of experienced and tenured faculty? Where was the advice of student leaders?
Information regarding the appointee has been scant and far from forthcoming. There has been little evidence concerning the educational background and the job qualifications that would make Mr. Holtzman an appropriate choice for “President of DU.”
Lastly, and perhaps most disturbing is the information concerning the political contributions Mr. Holtzman has made, that paint a frightening picture for students of difference. The most disturbing of these contributions are donations made to openly homophobic Senator Santorum. As you may be aware, Santorum’s comments to the press in recent days display utter ignorance and lack of concern for human dignity. While we are of the opinion that participating in the political process is important, the integrity of candidates should be a consideration when financially endorsing them.
We believe that his financial support of a politician is in effect an endorsement of his narrow-minded view of diversity. Santorum has recently been quoted in the New York Times as equating homosexuality to non-consensual sex, bigamy, incest, and adultery. Imagine the impact on our campus gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students and allies. How can the university claim in the UPAC mission statement, to “promote ethical behavior, integrity, caring and close individual attention…inclusiveness, collaboration, involvement, responsiveness, and accountability,” with this appointment?
As a method of demonstrating how deeply important this issue is to us, we gathered as a diverse group of DU community members in protest of Mr. Holtzman’s appointment last Friday on Mary Reed lawn following the Diversity Conference. Our hope was that you will consider these issues because they are important to each of us who were there that day. We would strongly support having a town hall meeting, a debate or some mechanism whereby our concerns will be heard and considered.
The individuals gathered on the lawn that day sat in silence. Their silence was meant to reflect the silencing of the community voice in this decision. It was also reflective of the student diversity that is silenced by Mr. Holtzman’s political activities. Students were holding signs bearing the photos, the words, and the names of famous people who have been silenced by their identity at various points in history. This is a reminder to all of us of the danger that silence can bring. We urge you to consider these consequences when inviting Mr. Holtzman to join our community.
You have always proven to be an administrator who values the input of students and faculty. You have been instrumental in integrating student concerns in university policy. Please uphold these traditions, and the tenets of strong higher educational institutions.
In Peace,
Sarah Asplin, fourth-year student and Scott Kercher, second-year student
