From: Annie Stevens, Vice Provost for
Student Affairs
RE: Black Lives Matter Flag
The University of Vermont has a
long-standing flag procedure that covers the
use of the flagpole by the Davis Center
designated for special events and
activities. The procedure articulates the
approval process. http://www.uvm.edu/policies/general_html/flag.pdf
The Davis Center, over many years, has flown
flags to celebrate and support members of
the University community. The individual
flags must be sponsored by a University
group or organization. The Davis Center has
worked with groups who seek to teach and
support the principles of equal justice and
community building: from the Rainbow flag to
celebrate marriage equality and later to
support our community following the targeted
shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando;
to the national flag of China to celebrate
the arrival of the first students from
China; to the new national flag to celebrate
the forming of South Sudan as a new country;
to the flag of Haiti following the natural
disaster that destroyed much of their
country.
In that spirit, the Student Government
Association, (SGA) sponsored last week a
Black Lives Matter flag to fly over the
weekend to recognize the recent police
shootings in Tulsa and Charlotte. The
student leadership of SGA wished to express
its understanding and support of people in
the Black community and others who are
suffering due to recent shootings. Related
to these issues, a student led campus
gathering will be held this afternoon.
The University of Vermont, as an educational
institution, vigorously supports freedom of
inquiry and expression within the academic
community and promotes a welcoming, safe and
inclusive environment for all members of our
community. With these twin goals in mind,
the flag was displayed in accordance with
University established procedures. First
Amendment freedoms protect speech and ideas,
including controversial ideas, differing
perspectives, and contentious viewpoints.
To accomplish our educational goals and
mission, the University actively seeks an
environment that appropriately reconciles
free speech and academic freedom on the one
hand and the maintenance of a welcoming,
safe, and inclusive environment for all
members of the University community on the
other hand. By promoting and encouraging
dialogue and conversations, the result can
lead to better understanding and education
about difficult issues.