• Free Speech and Assembly Policy

Dear UNA Faculty, Staff and Students,

Like other campus communities, we have been shocked and saddened by the events of the past week.  Our nation is divided, and the current scene is marked by hurt, anger, fear, and frustration.  We understand those emotions, and we acknowledge them.  As citizens, we must look beyond the difficulties of today and find ways to work alongside each other in the never-ending quest to come together as a community and to respect all individuals.

At the University of North Alabama, we acknowledge this as an opportunity to strengthen our culture of tolerance, empathy, inclusivity, and respect for others.  That culture has been enhanced in recent years by, among other things, the dedication of new buildings and historical markers, the adoption of the most ambitious diversity plan in the University’s history, and the recent establishment of a division on campus focused specifically on diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Why?  It matters.

In these troubled times, UNA can and will continue to set an example for others to follow.  We will do that by maintaining an unwavering commitment to the principles of equality and justice.  We will do that by ensuring that all members of the UNA family feel safe, and valued, and heard.  We will do that by looking for common ground and insisting on respect for different points of view.

These are the qualities and values that define us as an institution. 

Please join us in grieving for George Floyd and all other victims of the tragedies that are plaguing our nation.  Let us unite, take care of each other as fellow members of the UNA family, and work together to bring about the healing necessary for peace and positive change. 

Ken Kitts
President

Ron Patterson
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

An inclusive statement on your syllabus can establish an intentional and welcoming tone for your classroom environment, signaling to students that your value diverse perspectives and respectful intellectual exchange.

To access, examples, tips, and other considerations, you may access The Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion. 

Land acknowledgement is a process by which individuals are prompted to consider the history of the space they currently inhabit. Visit the Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion to learn more.