Mizzou reaffirms commitment to inclusion, says they are aware of “white supremacist groups”

The University of Missouri has released a statement on discrimination less than two weeks after a white nationalist protest on the University of Virginia campus turned deadly.

“We are aware that white supremacists groups are recruiting on college campuses across the U.S. If you become aware of any activity that might violate university policies, please contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX at 573-882-3880 or email civilrights-titleix@missouri.edu. You can find a listing that includes some of these policies at http://civilrights.missouri.edu/policies/,” the university wrote.

The statement was signed by Chancellor Cartwright and Provost Stokes.

According to the guiding policies from the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX, discrimination or harassment is defined as “conduct that is based upon an individual’s race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law that:

Adversely affects a term or condition of employment, education, living environment or participation in a University activity; or Creates a hostile environment by being sufficiently severe or pervasive and objectively offensive that it interferes with, limits, or denies the ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educational programs, activities, or employment.”

One day after the violence in Charlottesville, university leaders released a statement saying were “saddened and angered by the tragedy”

“As leaders in higher education, we share a common bond with the University of Virginia community. The University of Missouri condemns all acts of violence, racism, including those associated with the ideologies of hate such as white supremacy and anti-Semitism. They have no place on our campus or in society,” the university said. “We affirm our commitment to our university’s core values of Respect, Responsibility, Discovery and Excellence. We want to make clear that we are committed to an inclusive environment. Your safety and success on this campus, in whatever you do, is important to us.”

The statement was signed by 34 campus leaders, including Chancellor Cartwright, as well as multiple student groups.

Chancellor Cartwright officially began his position on Aug. 1. He is the first person to formally hold the position as chancellor since Bowen Loftin resigned in November 2015 in the wake of racially-charged protests on campus.