Golden State Today

Chancellor Carol Christ and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Ben Hermalin addressed the recent events at UC Berkeley in a message on Monday, March 4th. They expressed their concern over the protest that occurred on February 26th, stating that it was unacceptable.

"We intend to gain a complete picture of what happened and hold accountable individuals or groups responsible for violations of the law and/or our policies," they stated regarding the ongoing criminal investigation into the protest.

UCPD and OPHD are investigating reports of antisemitic expression and physical battery directed at Jewish students and attendees during the event. Chancellor Christ and Provost Hermalin emphasized the university's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of the community, regardless of their identity or perspectives.

In response to the heightened tensions on campus, they mentioned plans to reevaluate and modify security preparations. They condemned the actions on February 26th, emphasizing that every individual has the right to feel safe and welcome on campus.

"While hateful expression may be protected by the Constitution, we still have a responsibility to respond by working to protect and support targeted communities and by marshaling the educational resources of the university to confront the ignorance at the heart of bias," they added.

The officials stressed the importance of reporting any harassment, discrimination, or threats to the appropriate authorities on campus, reaffirming the university's commitment to upholding its values and ensuring the safety of all community members.

In conclusion, Chancellor Christ and Provost Hermalin expressed confidence in the UC Berkeley community's ability to address the challenges faced and uphold the values of the university.