November 02, 2021
The Penn State College of Arts and Architecture denounces Milo Yiannopoulos’ presentation at Penn State on November 3, and fully supports the Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity’s “Love is Louder” event. The college also supports all programs and social actions that foster individual differences, promote understanding and respect, and resist harming or disrespecting others. Together with the University, we strongly condemn Yiannopoulos’ message while acknowledging Penn State’s position that the student organization Uncensored America has a Constitutional right to host the event (see University statement here).
One of the four goals in the College of Arts and Architecture’s strategic plan is “Establish a culture of anti-racism and anti-oppression that embraces individual identities, fosters a culture of inclusion, and promotes equity through our curricula, values, standards, ideals, policies, and practices.”
Yiannopoulos’ ideas are in direct opposition to this goal and contradict the University’s values. The College of Arts and Architecture is firmly committed to supporting individuality, fostering inclusion, and promoting equity while fighting racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression. This commitment aligns with Penn State’s own mission, as demonstrated by University leadership and many organizations across campus.
B Stephen Carpenter II
Michael J. and Aimee Rusinko Kakos Dean in the College of Arts and Architecture
The Pennsylvania State University