Private College Leaders Seek ‘Strong’ Hate Crime Law
(Image of President Ray Barber courtesy of Oakland City University.)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe presidents of more than 20 private colleges and universities throughout the state have signed a letter calling for legislators to create a law specifically addressing hate crimes. Indiana is one of five states without specific legislation. The letter, addressed to Senator Rodric Bray (R-37) and signed by 22 presidents, follows a call last month by Governor Eric Holcomb and others for the General Assembly to take action in the wake of anti-Semitic graffiti being sprayed on a synagogue in Carmel.
Bray will be the next Senate Pro Tempore following February’s announcement that longtime leader David Long (R-16) will retire at the end of his current term. Previous attempts to create a hate crimes law have failed in the General Assembly.
The letter reads:
Dear Senator Bray,
As presidents of colleges and universities in the great state of Indiana, we write in support of strong hate crime legislation, and join regional business groups who call for a law which would authorize judges "to enhance penalties against criminals who harmed others based on their disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity."
We stand with Governor Holcomb when he says, "No law can stop evil, but we should be clear that our state stands with the victims & their voices will not be silenced. For that reason, it is my intent that Indiana be 1 of 46 states with hate crimes legislation – not 1 of 5 states without it."
We call upon our elected representatives to act now in support of all Hoosiers, regardless of appearance, location, orientations or religious beliefs. Indiana is home to some of the nation’s most respected colleges and universities and is a state with wonderful assets and a welcoming spirit. This is a powerful opportunity to make certain that our students and citizens are afforded the same protections they are in all but five other states.
The years a student spends in college are important and impactful. Young people from across the state, the nation, and the world come to our campuses to live and learn, and to understand more about how to live in an increasingly complex and diverse world. It is our job as college presidents to ensure that we create a fertile environment for those lessons to take root. It is our responsibility to make certain that each student feels welcomed, wanted, and able to do their best work. The very future of our country depends upon this effort.
We commend the governor for his stand and join him in calling on the Indiana General Assembly to enact hate crimes legislation for the good of all Hoosiers.
Sincerely,
- Michele Dvorak, Ed.D., President, Ancilla College
- John S. Pistole, President, Anderson University
- Amy McCormack, Ed.D., President, Calumet College of St. Joseph
- D. Mark McCoy, Ph.D., President, DePauw University
- Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D., President, Franklin College
- Rebecca J. Stoltzfus, Ph.D., President, Goshen College
- William J. Katip, Ph.D., President, Grace College and Seminary
- Lake Lambert, Ph.D., President, Hanover College
- Karl W. Einolf, Ph.D., President, Indiana Tech
- David W. Wright, Ph.D., President, Indiana Wesleyan University
- David McFadden, Ph.D., President, Manchester University
- Daniel J. Elsener, President, Marian University
- Eugene G. White, Ed.D., President, Martin University
- Ray G. Barber, President, Oakland City University
- James C. Conwell, Ph.D., President, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Janice A. Cervelli, FASLA, FCELA, President, Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame
- Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., President, Trine University
- Robert L. Manuel, President, University of Indianapolis
- Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President, University of Notre Dame
- Sister M. Elise Kriss, OSF, President, University Saint Francis
- Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D., President, Valparaiso University
- Gregory D. Hess, Ph.D., President, Wabash College