Important Community Update
Dear students,
This weekend, in the most terrible way, we’ve been reminded of how hatred and violence can shatter a community, whether at a nearby university or on the other side of the world.
In this difficult time, we wanted to reach out to express our concern and care for all of you. We know the anxiety and deep sadness these events generate and feel them too. You may notice added security presence around campus in the coming weeks, and MIT Emergency Management stands ready to provide training to our community.
On-campus vandalism
We also want to make you aware of some deeply troubling incidents that occurred on our own campus.
Late last week, residents in an undergraduate hall discovered that two posters – one in a stairwell and one in an elevator – had been defaced by hand. Both had swastikas and one also had double SS lightning bolts associated with Nazis. The posters themselves advertised ordinary campus activities – an a cappella concert and a residence hall election. And, last Monday, in another residence hall, posters advertising a Hanukkah celebration were ripped down and a QR code for the event was blacked out.
In American culture today, it is not possible to use these symbols without being aware of their history and thus their disturbing impact now. There is no justification for their use at MIT, ever. And in this moment when acts of hate and antisemitism are being seen across the world, we must redouble our condemnation of such expressions.
MIT Police are investigating these antisemitic incidents. If we can identify who is responsible, we will hold them accountable. If you have information to offer, we urge you to notify the MIT Police or submit it anonymously through the MIT Hotline.
Such hateful vandalism is destructive and contrary to MIT’s values. The defacement of these posters threatens to erode our community’s essential sense of mutual trust and safety – if we let it. We stand in solidarity with our Jewish students and all members of our community disturbed by these acts. For those seeking support, please see the resources below.
As President Kornbluth has said, “Belonging to the MIT community is a privilege, not a right, and it comes with the responsibility to treat each other with decency and respect.”
We wish you peace and health as you complete the semester and prepare for the upcoming break.
Sincerely,
Melissa Nobles
Chancellor
Suzy M. Nelson
Vice Chancellor for Student Life
Resources
- Student Mental Health and Counseling offers free support services as well as self-care resources.
- Staff from the Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life are here to support all MIT students and offer confidential counseling and crisis support.
- Student Support Services is an easily accessible hub of support for undergraduates.
- GradSupport and the Graduate Assistance Information Network offer a wide variety of resources to help grad students and families deal with the unexpected.
- Notify IDHR of any incidents involving discrimination, harassment or bias.
- The MIT Police can be reached 24/7 at (617) 253-1212.
- The DoingWell website offers connections to additional student resources.