Statement from UMass chief Wilson on the controversy

Statement from UMass President Jack Wilson on the Levasseur invitation:

We share Governor Patrick’s concerns and strongly disapprove of Raymond Luc Levasseur’s pending appearance on campus. We believe that Levasseur sets a deplorable example for our students and for the University community.

The use of violence as a means of achieving political goals is antithetical to everything we stand for as a University. We also regret the pain and anguish his visit causes for victims and survivors. It is important to note that Levasseur has not received a formal invitation from the University of Massachusetts or from any of its officials. The decision to invite him was made by a small number of faculty members.

With that decision having been made, we see no way of preventing a speaking appearance, based on the free speech and free assembly rights we enjoy in this country and based on well-established principles of academic freedom. While we see no legitimate way to prevent this event from taking place, Chancellor [Robert] Holub and I have instructed that no state funds be used to support this activity. We know that Governor Patrick strongly supports us in this position.