As we turn our thoughts to an exciting new academic year, we cannot help but reflect on the sad events that took place at and near the University of Virginia – a school that has an academic tradition of excellence not unlike our own – in Charlottesville over the last week. This episode and its unfolding aftermath have made deep impressions on all of us and, I hope, will cause us to be more committed than ever to rejecting and publicly condemning views of racial and religious supremacy and prejudice. Below are links to messages offered by our University President, Timothy Killeen, and our Chancellor, Robert Jones, underscoring their commitment to keep the University of Illinois a place that is safe, welcoming and intellectually vibrant for all students, faculty and staff. I associate myself fully with each of these statements. Unfortunately, short statements – even ones as laudable as these – cannot take the place of the thorough, robust discussions and suggestions for improvement concerning these issues that are needed. I look forward to the return of students, staff and faculty to the College of Law in the next few weeks so that we, as a community, can engage each other in precisely those kinds of dialogues. To that end, we invite you join us for a panel discussion featuring various College of Law faculty members, Legal Perspectives on Charlottesville, on Friday, September 15 at noon in the Max L. Rowe Auditorium. Additional event details will be posted on the College’s website in the coming days.

Message from Timothy L. Killeen, President
Message from Robert J. Jones, Chancellor

Vikram David Amar
Dean and Iwan Foundation Professor of Law
University of Illinois College of Law