Aloha Yellow Jackets,

It is nearly impossible to believe that more than a month has already passed since Hamas’ deadly surprise attacks on numerous kibbutz and other sites across Israel. This has been followed by constant bombing and a ground incursion into Gaza by Israel Defense Forces, prompting a significant humanitarian crisis for thousands of civilians.
 
Throughout this time, Student Engagement & Well-Being (SEWB) has continued to reiterate our availability to students and student organizations in need of psychological support or just a safe place to share their anger, anxiety, traumas, and triggers.  On behalf of the entire SEWB team, I want to express that our hearts go out to all those who have been directly or vicariously impacted by the violence in the Middle East.  All human lives have value, and now more than ever, we must actively seek to honor our collective and shared humanity – including the diversity of perspectives and world views that we hold.
 
What Does it Really Mean to Advance Freedom of Expression?
This past month, expressive activity has increased on and around Georgia Tech significantly.  I want to remind students to review your rights and responsibilities regarding freedom of expression.  We have received numerous reports from members of the GT community asking that expressive activity be removed or erased.  It’s important to reiterate that as a public university, we are bound by ethical duty and legal responsibility to support all lawful expressive activity – no matter how hurtful or hateful it may be perceived as being. As such, Georgia Tech must be content-neutral in supporting expressive activity. The bar for speech to be unlawful is high; rarely does reported speech warrant removal on the basis of its content.
 
We understand that this may not seem reasonable to some of you. If we support a campus that is based on diversity, equity, and inclusion, why would we stand by and let speech that feels disrespectful at best and outright hateful at worst, to persist on campus? Beyond the legal mandates we must adhere to, an aspect of Georgia Tech’s commitment to diversity includes diversity of viewpoints – many of which are informed by and extensions of our identities, cultures, religious faiths, and family upbringing.  Suppressing viewpoints because they deviate from our own would be a form of silencing parts of what makes us unique individuals and connected communities.  
 
However, I want to ask each member of the Georgia Tech community to consider the impacts of their speech – just because you can say something, should you?  In other words, with rights come responsibilities. And, how can we all play a part in eliminating antisemitism and Islamophobia, as well as preventing discrimination or harassment, in our collective, shared community – one where every Yellow Jacket should feel a sense of belonging?
 
We are working to create more places and spaces where students can express themselves, including more kiosks across campus and public bulletin boards in high-traffic academic and student life buildings.  We will keep you posted as they become available for student and student organization use.  Expressive activity using water-soluble chalk on sidewalks and pathways throughout the campus – as long as you are least 20’ from entryways of buildings and not under any overhead obstruction that would prevent rain from washing away – remain welcome and encouraged.  As always, if you believe that expressive activity is occurring in violation of either our time, place and manner procedures or our student code of conduct, please feel free to report this by emailing vp_sewb@gatech.edu or submitting a complaint at https://studentlife.gatech.edu/request-assistance.

From Free Expression to Creative Expression: What Connects Us 
With so much violence impacting us both here in the US and abroad across the globe, being in community with those with whom we can be our most authentic selves can be a gift and a grace.  To this end, I wanted to emphasize the power of art, dance, music, theater, and other forms of creative expression as pathways for healing, making meaning, connecting with others, and exploring powerful emotions. From first-hand experience, I know the power of the creative arts to lift spirits and link souls. Many of you have also known music as a way to embrace joy, dance as a way to engage with strangers, and appreciating a poem or painting as a bridge to invite others into your space.  Creative arts can help foster emotional, social, and spiritual wellness. They are a reminder of what comprises our humanity, and perhaps this is what we need now, more than ever, at this time.