January 11, 2011 | 10:20 AM | By

Quote of the moment: UC Berkeley chancellor on the Arizona shooting and immigration

FILED UNDER: Health/Education, Politics/Justice, Arizona shooting, Dream Act, SB 1070, UC Berkeley

“A climate in which demonization of others goes unchallenged and hateful speech is tolerated can lead to such a tragedy.”

- Robert J. Birgeneau, Chancellor of UC Berkeley, in a letter to the campus community

UC Berkeley News has published Birgeneau’s letter, in which he cites Arizona’s political climate as it relates to immigration – in particular, the state’s embrace of controversial anti-illegal immigration legislation – as contributing to an environment “in which such an act can be contemplated, even by a mind that is profoundly disturbed.”

Here’s the quote in context:

Such a brutal and violent attack on an individual who has devoted herself to public service is deeply regrettable. It calls upon us as an academic community to stop and ponder the climate in which such an act can be contemplated, even by a mind that is profoundly disturbed. A climate in which demonization of others goes unchallenged and hateful speech is tolerated can lead to such a tragedy. I believe that it is not a coincidence that this calamity has occurred in a state which has legislated discrimination against undocumented persons.

Birgeneau, who also mentions the recently-defeated Dream Act, goes on to urge the academic community to “continue to work toward a climate of equity and inclusion for all.”

  • Anonymous

    UC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau ($500,000 salary) is just not making sense. Gov Brown inuguration $100,000. Cal Chancellor Birgeneau spends $3,000,000 on consultants to do the work of his job and that of his hand picked vice chancellors.
    Something is amiss!

  • Anonymous

    University of California Berkeley Chancellor can hobble requests for additional funding from state.

    Californians face foreclosure, unemployment, depressed
    wages and higher taxes: it’s time the Governor, UC Board of Regents, President
    Yudof showed leadership by curbing costs, particularly wages, benefits. As a
    Californian, I don’t care what others earn at private, public universities. If wages
    better elsewhere, chancellors, vice chancellors, tenured, non tenured faculty, UCOP
    should apply for the positions. If wages commit employees to UC, leave for
    better paying position. The sky above UC will not fall.   

    California suffers from the
    greatest deficit modern times. UC wages, benefits must reflect California’s ability to
    pay, not what others paid elsewhere. Campus chancellors, vice chancellors,
    tenured & non-tenured faculty, UCOP are replaceable by the more talented.

    UC faculty eases pressure for additional funding:

    No furloughs

    18 percent reduction in UCOP salaries & $50 million cut.

    18 percent prune of campus chancellors’, vice chancellors’ salaries.

    15 percent trim of tenured faculty salaries, increased teaching load

    10 percent decrease in non-tenured faculty salaries, as well as increase research,
    teaching load

    100%
    elimination of all Academic Senate, Academic Council costs, wages.

     

    Rose
    bushes bloom after pruning.

     

    The Governor, UC Board of Regents, whining President can bridge
    the trust gap to public by offering reassurances that salaries reflect depressed
    wages in California.
     The sky above UC will not fall.

     

    Californians are reasonable people. Levy no new taxes until
    an approved balanced budget: let the Governor/Legislature lead; make the
    tough-minded (not cold hearted) decisions of elected leadership. Afterwards
    come to public for continuing, specified
    taxes.

     

    Thanking
    you in advance for advocating for California, University of California