Statement from the President

Dear Bobcat Family: 

As you may be aware, a video surfaced this morning of reprehensible behavior that took place during an event on the San Marcos Campus Monday. This afternoon, university officials identified the individual in the video as a TXST student. Although federal law prevents me or the university from commenting on individual student conduct manners, I can report that the individual is no longer a student at TXST. 

I am writing this separate email to you because I know that this incident (and the response to it) has shaken the Texas State community (including faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members, and supporters). The video understandably evoked strong emotions here and across the country.   

Unfortunately, some people are suggesting that the individual’s actions represent the beliefs of TXST students in general or those of specific student organizations. These kinds of insinuations are unfair to our student body, and they cause some of our students to feel unsafe. Just as the behavior in the video was reprehensible, attempts to spread the blame onto innocent students are also unacceptable. The actions of one person do not reflect our entire community or the individuals in it.  

This is a time for calm, for measured response and dialogue, and for keeping ourselves and each other safe. As always, the safety of our campus community is at the heart of every decision that I make. We must not allow this situation to get the best of us. We can disagree on issues, but we cannot allow ourselves to be pulled into a situation where we are adding to the anxiety on our campus. That is not who we are, and that is not who we will become.   

I am asking that each of us consider the impact that our words and actions can have on those around us. From my first moment as the TXST president, I have espoused the ideal that we (all of us) belong here. I have never wavered in that expectation (or in that hope). While I cannot control what others say or do, I can control how I respond to them. I ask that we all seek ways to lift our campus up to its noblest aspirations in the days and weeks to come.   

Kelly Damphousse 
President 
Texas State University