Letter to the editor: Nelsen’s statements show ‘bias’
(Courtesy of Jessica Vernone/Sacramento State)
November 12, 2016
Good afternoon State University stakeholders and news agencies.
I am writing to report on Sac State’s President and his inappropriate conduct. Robert Nelsen is the newly appointed head my University. I love this college, the atmosphere, and the education, but have felt harassed, demeaned and insulted with the way our chief executive speaks to the campus community.
Since taking the position, President Nelsen has routinely sent these update emails to inform us of recent events or issues facing our campus. They have mostly been benign, but far too often Nelsen uses this platform to intimidate those whom hold politically different views, to perpetuate racism, dismiss veterans, and incite hate: simply put – Nelsen inappropriately uses his position influence the student body.
Despite feigned mentions of inclusiveness, Nelsen reminds us that he is deeply troubled by the outcome of the election. He tells us that campus ideals and minorities are threatened by the new leadership in our country. There is no misunderstanding Nelsen vehemently disagrees with the politically right and encourages the campus to fall in line.
Last Veteran’s Day, President Nelsen spent the preceding weeks thanking and celebrating the contributions of various minority groups. I appreciated these emails because he didn’t need to say these things, but they benefited the community. As an Afghanistan and Iraq veteran who has served proudly with people from all backgrounds working toward a common mission and serving the country (re: “we are all Americans first” below), I looked forward to the day off from school and perhaps a brief mention from our President…nothing came but a reminder that the campus will be closed.
On another occasion, President Nelsen took to email apologizing for a pre-planned event involving Customs and Border Protection who were conducting a job fair and talking to interested candidates. CBP officers, who serve our nation honorably, and enforce laws they are told to enforce, were demeaned by Nelsen. He told the campus that he would not allow CBP to investigate residency status of students. He told us many minority groups are probably in fear of the presence of these officer and alluded to disallowing them from returning to campus.
Most recently, a pro-life group demonstrated on campus, and the President again took to his email account to complain about their presence.
I find these political emails repugnant and insulting. I would like the local community and our University to know that despite his political bias, students from all walks of life attend this school. Some of us support law enforcement, love this nation, are not in fear of the recent election results, and hold conservative viewpoints. Please advise Mr. Nelsen that he is alienating a large group of people on this campus who feel intimidated into not expressing their opinions. Like he said, we are supposed to be one Hornet family.
David Martin
Jerac • Nov 15, 2016 at 10:11 pm
I agree, ever since the election-email I have him marked as spam. He is incredibly biased. I thought this was an educational institution, and not a political party (either one). All of the instructors discussing politics in a biased way in their classrooms should reconsider their conduct. If they cannot refain from such actions, then perhaps they should resign.
lol • Nov 13, 2016 at 11:28 am
lol
Aaron Jackson • Nov 12, 2016 at 6:41 pm
Dear David Martin,
As a veteran myself, I find it somewhat disheartening that you feel so slighted by President Nelsen’s failure to give us an extra shout out on Veteran’s Day–I say “extra” because the fact that we have a day at all is enough for even the most praise-seeking among us.
I also feel disheartened that you think that President Nelsen should suppress his own political views as you seem to suggest he should. After all, he allowed the pro life demonstrations to take place–he could have said no. He also allowed the border patrol job fair to take place on campus–likely because he recognizes that Sac State produces quality candidates for such jobs–but I suppose it is beyond the pale to reassure our student population that the agents were not raiding the school. The fact remains that President Nelsen is entitled to his opinions just like the rest of us are, and I feel he has done a good job of creating an inclusive atmosphere where all opinions are allowed and even encouraged–even those different from his own.
I am happy to hear you do not fear President-elect Trump, David. But there are some, indeed many, who do, and for good reason. Trump and his campaign cohorts have said some terrible things about many groups. And many within those groups fear that Trump’s supporters’ insistence that he is a “man of his word” (despite all evidence to the contrary) will prove true. And those students may take comfort from President Nelsen’s reassurances, even if you may find them to be biased.
Finally, I find it incredibly ironic that you are claiming to be somehow injured because your views differ from President Nelsen’s when it is obviously apparent that you cannot understand or empathize with those he seeks to reassure. Perhaps you could start correcting this hypocrisy by doing a bit of research. For starters, he is not “Mr.” Nelsen, but Dr. Nelsen, and his assurances to those who do fear the election results should not be confused as attacks against conservative viewpoints. Dr. Nelsen is from Montana. He therefore knows and respects conservative viewpoints better than most. He also makes himself available to students every Friday to hear our concerns. I would advise you to take advantage of that opportunity.
Sincerely,
Aaron Jackson