Anti-Asian violence is distressing and unacceptable. Here at UT, we believe that no one should live in fear of racial violence, and we have no tolerance for bigotry, intimidation or bias.

It was exactly one year ago this week that COVID-19 forced The University of Texas to pivot into new teaching and research modalities. Obviously, we’re not through with the pandemic yet. Nevertheless, it’s time for us to begin planning our transition to what we hope will be a near normal fall.

Everything we do at UT Austin comes back to three things: research, teaching and changing the world. Our work around “The Eyes of Texas” is no different. In particular, the work of the history committee focused on research. Next, we will focus on teaching and changing the world. In part, that means fostering an inclusive campus where all Longhorns belong and are welcome.

I understand that for many of us this has been an upsetting week. In the run up to the Eyes of Texas History Committee’s report (to be released Tuesday), articles in the media have pushed a narrative that university donors are dismissive of our students’ concerns and have exerted undue influence over campus decision making.

We have been safely delivering on our teaching and research missions so far this year, and our protocols have been working. As a result, those policies — including requiring masks in our buildings, classrooms and labs — will remain in place.

Tonight…We light the Tower orange to signify our ability to persevere, return to creating and disseminating knowledge, and to say thank you to our tremendous Longhorn community — students, staff, faculty, parents and alumni — for their tireless efforts to help one another during the crisis and to restore our university to the pursuit of its core missions.