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Collin College Statement | October 12, 2020

Collin College is aware of the hateful, vile and ill-considered Twitter posts by one of its faculty members.  As a community, we cannot and will not ignore them.  We deeply apologize for the offense her comments have created.  The faculty member’s expressed views are not consistent with the values of Collin College, particularly our Core Values of dignity and respect.  Further, the views were not conveyed in any manner we wish members of our faculty and staff to express themselves.

Free expression is a cherished right guaranteed by our Constitution, but that does not lessen our individual responsibility to protect such rights through our own care and consideration.  At the very least, in our free exercise of expression, professionalism should dictate decorum rather than resorting to profanity.

While this instance of unfortunate speech may be protected, incendiary comments such as these do not best serve our community, nor do they advance any positive solution.  Hate and profanity are never welcome, especially during this time when we, as Americans, are searching for the best path forward for our Nation.  Such comments make it that much more difficult for all who hold diverse views to come together, as our country so desperately needs.  Notably, these comments are a setback to the hard work and dedication of our campus community and all that Collin College has achieved this year.

Faculty members, as representatives of their profession and of our distinguished institution, have a special obligation to remember that their public statements reflect on their unique roles both in educating students and modeling behavior, as well as on the college that provides them with the opportunity to educate.  Hateful and profane speech expressed in any forum is not how we should strive to conduct ourselves.

In this challenging period, Collin College urges all to express themselves with grace, civility, and respect for others in a manner worthy of this Nation and the core values we share.