Statement Regarding Disruption Prior to Susan Resneck Pierce Lecture 2/22/24

Dear Campus Community,

I need to update you on an incident that occurred yesterday, February 21, at Schneebeck Concert Hall, where U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer was scheduled to deliver the Spring 2024 Susan Resneck Pierce Lecture. An hour before the lecture, protestors objecting to Rep. Derek Kilmer’s presence on campus assembled in parking lot 4 to protest, and were permitted to continue their demonstration without interference. However, at the scheduled start of the lecture, the protestors forced their way into the lobby area of Schneebeck Concert Hall and then onto the stage, where they shouted at the audience using amplification devices and prevented the lecture from occurring. For the immediate safety and security of our campus community, the decision was made to cease the planned remarks and evacuate the area.

While we respect the right to protest, and support opportunities for students to do so, behavior that materially disrupts university operations and events, impedes discourse, and infringes on the rights of others is unacceptable.

I am saddened by the disruption these protestors caused to the event and am deeply disturbed that our core value of civil discussion was not honored here last night. As the President of the University of Puget Sound, I find this type of interference and intimidation to be absolutely antithetical to all that we are and all that we teach our students.

To those who created this disruption last night, know that shutting down speech only demonstrates an inability to listen to different viewpoints and engage in productive dialogue, which is a fundamental aspect of a liberal arts education. That this action was taken at an event specifically focusing on building bridges across differences is profoundly ironic and disappointing.

I met with students who had expressed objections to our invitation to Rep. Kilmer to be this spring’s Pierce lecturer on several occasions prior to the lecture. I provided them with the opportunity to voice their concerns and find common ground. Rep. Kilmer himself extended an invitation to the students who protested the event to engage in a constructive dialogue following his lecture. Regrettably, this invitation was not accepted by the student group.

To those who were hurt, frightened, or offended by the disruption, I offer my sincerest apologies. This behavior does not represent the values of Puget Sound and the respectful and inclusive community we strive to be. An investigation is currently underway.

To ensure that speech is not silenced, I provide you now with a full transcript of Rep. Kilmer’s planned remarks.  

The Pierce Lecture is a hallmark of Puget Sound, and one of the many ways in which we celebrate a liberal arts education and fulfill our mission to encourage a rich knowledge of self and others; an appreciation of commonality and difference; and the full, open, and civil discussion of ideas. We remain committed to those principles and hope that this will be a moment of collective reflection and learning for our campus community.

Sincerely,