Dear University Community, 

The assassination of Charlie Kirk today in our neighboring state of Utah is abhorrent in every way and must be loudly decried by everyone hoping to preserve the open exchange of ideas on college campuses nationwide. Campuses have long stood as special places in American society where people of different viewpoints can meet, question, and challenge one another without fear. To see violence enter those spaces is to see the very foundation of higher learning threatened.

This comes amid an increasing wave of school-based and politically motivated violence, including the assassination of the Minnesota house speaker over the summer and recent school shootings in Minneapolis and today in Evergreen, Colorado. 

We have all benefited from our ability to freely debate ideas, especially on college campuses that were created for just that purpose. Charlie Kirk visited UNLV in October 2024, and thankfully on that day it was peaceful. Today’s tragedy could have long-term consequences for everyone wanting to engage in a peaceful and vigorous debate on college campuses. 

Our thoughts are with all those impacted by these tragic events. Let us all join together in doing everything possible to denounce violence and protect free speech and debate. It is the bedrock of our democracy. 

Sincerely,

Chris Heavey
Interim President