Aloha Yellow Jackets,

I write this as I endure the consequences of a high pollen count yet revel in the joy of spring-time weather. It hardly seems possible that the end of another academic year is just around the corner. I am sad that this will be our final newsletter for this academic year. 

This month, we have the chance to learn from the voices of our graduate student leaders as they share their reflections on the rights and responsibilities associated with freedom of expression and inquiry for them.

As always, all videos on freedom of expression and a wide range of other resources on this topic for students can be found on our website.  Note that we have added additional information about Georgia state laws that impact free speech.

On Combatting Discrimination & Harassment

One purpose of higher education is to promote personal development by bringing together a diverse array of individuals in terms of identity, background, experiences, political ideologies, and viewpoints. Georgia Tech has continued to champion the rights of every student to freely express their ideas, opinions, and perspectives. At the same time, Georgia Tech is also committed to having an environment free from discrimination, including harassment. As such, the Institute carefully reviews each complaint regarding alleged discrimination and harassment to determine if a policy violation occurred.  

When speech crosses the line into harassment, Georgia Tech can hold students accountable under the Student Code of Conduct. However, even if no laws or policies are broken, we aspire to create a community that promotes care and compassion.  For example, when hateful language is also dehumanizing, it can erode psychological safety for some members of our community.

Our office has received some questions about when free speech goes too far, and I wanted to provide some resources. Many acts of expression that one might consider to be hate speech will be protected under laws that guarantee free speech rights, but not all of them. Consider the following:

• In accordance with our Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy, “Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions.” 
• Last November, the US Department of Education issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” to institutions of higher education reminding them of the responsibility under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect all students, including students who are or are perceived to be Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, Arab, or Palestinian, from discrimination or hostile environment based on race, color, or national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.
• HB30 is a new law that went into effect in the State of Georgia in January 2024; it provides a definition of antisemitism which shall be used in determining whether alleged discriminatory conduct – including hate crime – is antisemitic.   

As always, if you believe you or another student has been the target of harassment or discrimination, please reach out to the Office of the Dean of Students or by filing an incident report with the Office of Student Integrity.

Debate and dialogue will always be encouraged and welcomed at Georgia Tech. But I ask that every individual at Georgia Tech do their part to ensure that such expressive activity does not move into the realm of being divisive or contradict our espoused values as an Institute. We each play a part in helping this campus be the kind of community we want it to be.

On Granting Grace

Netflix’s AI recently proffered “Suits” based on my past viewing habits.  Ever on the lookout for an entertaining TV show to binge, I happily obliged and have been drawn in by the relationships, ethical dilemmas, and lessons embedded throughout the series. The end of the year feels like a moment of reckoning for many Georgia Tech students as you submit your final assignments and take your final exams. Next comes the anxiety about your grades - and then either joy or disappointment when they are released. This made me think of the show and what we might apply from it in our own lives.

First, give everything that you have, and then have faith in yourself: you’ve done the best that you can. Even if you faced unexpected challenges, know that you’ve given all that you could under the circumstances. Second, extend grace to yourself; you can’t function at your best without nurturing all eight dimensions of wellness, and you can’t do any of this alone. This includes taking time to relax with and rely on whoever you consider your “family,” as well as reaching out for assistance from the myriad of resources available at Georgia Tech. Finally, know that you are more than just your grades; your transcript (and degree) is only one chapter in the novel of who you are as a complete human being.

To our Spring 2024 graduates – congratulations!!!!! To all returning Yellow Jackets: have a terrific summer, and we look forward to welcoming you back in Fall 2024!