SGA Releases Statement on Vandalized Signs

From the UTC Student Government Association:

A Statement Regarding the Vandalism of Black History Month Sign Campaign

Dear Students,

As some of you are already aware, on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, Black History Month signs posted by the Freshman Senate, a branch of the Student Government Association, were vandalized by a white supremacy hate group.

We, the Student Government Association, do not support hate of any kind, verbal or physical, on UTC’s campus. We are disappointed that any kind of hateful rhetoric has been brought into our campus community. Though we know that this has undoubtedly made some students feel unwelcome, we want to express that the university is working diligently to make UTC a place where all students feel safe and at home.

Blatant racial hatred across the United States has been highlighted as a result of recent events. Unfortunately, UTC is not immune. We have a responsibility to facilitate conversations about how to deter hatred and embrace the diversity that exists on our campus and in our community. Moving forward, we will continue to push our campus community, particularly the division of Student Development and our Student Body, to be leading forces in the change of our campus climate.

If you’re interested in having immediate conversations about diversity on our campus, the Freshman Senate will be hosting the What’s Real? Diversity Dialogue: Chat About UT Chatt on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 8pm in the Multicultural Center. Additionally, we have linked the entire list of Black History Month events below.

https://www.utc.edu/dean-students/multicultural/mcc-events.php

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the resources listed below if you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe on our campus or within the Chattanooga community.

Best,

Your Student Government Association Executive Board

UTC PD

(423) 425-4357

400 Palmetto Street

Chattanooga Police

Emergencies: 911

(423) 698-2525

Dean of Students

(423) 425-4761

UC Office 399

Office of Equity & Diversity

(423) 425-5468

Human Resources Building, Floor 2

Counseling Center

(423) 425-4438

UC Office 338

Office for Disability Resources

(423) 425-4006

UC Office 108

Office of International Student Services

(423) 425-2110

203 Hooper Hall