On letter regarding article on campus homophobia JP

Mutual Respect

I write in response to a letter that appeared in Friday's issue of The Daily Princetonian objecting to an article on homophobia on campus, to remind all of us in the Princeton community that respect for the rights, privileges, and sensibilities of others is a fundamental principle of this university.

The university's statement on respect for others is as follows:

"Princeton University strives to be an intellectual and residential community in which all members can participate fully and equally, in an atmosphere free from all manifestations of bias and from all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation.

As an intellectual community, it attaches great value to freedom of expression and vigorous debate, but it also attaches great importance to mutual respect, and it deplores expressions of hatred directed against any individual or group.

The University seeks to promote the full inclusion of all members and groups in every aspect of University life." (Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities, p.4)

All human experience &emdash; regardless of individual value judgements &emdash; is worthy of study, reflection and discussion in a climate of respect. I invite all members of the university community to join with mein a reaffirmation of our support of the lesbian, gay and bisexual community and all of our campus communities.

Janina Montero
Dean of Student Life

Letter to the editors of the Daily Princetonian, published on September 26, 1995.