(May 1, 2019) – As UTSA cultivates a zero-tolerance environment for all forms of sexual assault and misconduct, President Taylor Eighmy today announced the President’s Initiative on Respectful Discourse. This is the final of three campus climate-related initiatives introduced this semester, together with initiatives on Preventing Sexual Assault and Misconduct and Inclusive Excellence.
Last semester, Eighmy wrote about the importance of providing students with the intellectual tools for civic engagement – an essential skill needed for the leaders of tomorrow. Over this academic year, the university has advanced word done around this topic as documented on the civic discourse website.
“This is another area where we cannot allow ourselves to be satisfied with good enough,” said Eighmy. “It’s impossible to ignore the political and ideological divides playing out in public forums and on social media, sometimes resulting in personal attacks and violent acts.”
UTSA has experienced numerous instances of student groups voicing their convictions through protests and other awareness-raising campaigns. These activities are welcome and encouraged on a university campus, but there are boundaries that must be established around student safety, legal requirements and campus policies. Sometimes, these lines become blurred or ignored during moments of confrontation between those with opposing viewpoints.
In light of UTSA’s commitment to freedom of expression, Eighmy wants to supply the entire Roadrunner community with the tools for productive dialogue rooted in compassion and integrity. The Respectful Discourse initiative will provide a framework for these efforts, building on UTSA’s core institutional value of respect as the university actively practices engaging in serious and productive exchanges of views.
The initiative will be led by a steering committee chaired by Dean Hendrix, dean of UTSA Libraries, and include three task forces focused on curricular integration, co-curricular experiences and faculty/staff training. A collaborative link has been established between this initiative and the 21st Century Learning Environment task group in their work to ensure healthy and inclusive classrooms.
This summer, the initiative’s task forces will begin their work to define initial projects and metrics for success, with the early fruits of their labors rolling out this fall. The UTSA community is encourage to contact Dean Hendrix to get involved or share ideas.
“This is another example of an arena where we have the capacity to serve as a national model for other universities around the country,” said Eighmy. “I have a deep and unwavering faith in our community to excel at respectful discourse, and look forward to the strides we will make in the months ahead.”
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At this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusJoin us for a tribute to Willie Velásquez, honoring the legacy of Willie Velásquez, a pivotal figure in shaping the history of Latino and Hispanic participation in the American voting process. Delve into his life and contributions as a champion of Latino voting rights. Moderated by UTSA's Teresa Niño, the event will feature influential voices, including Jane Velásquez, María Antonietta Berriozábal, Dora Oliva, and Anthony Gonzales.
Buena Vista Building, Gregory Luna Room, Downtown CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
