Capitol Violence

To: The Caltech Community
From: Thomas F. Rosenbaum, Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and Professor of Physics
Date: January 6, 2021
Re: Capitol Violence

One of the most gratifying elements of belonging to the Caltech community is being part of a pursuit greater than oneself. We are knit together by the commitment to discovering how the world works and to educating the next generation of scholars, in service to society. We believe in facts and truth. We argue with one another, but we honor the differences that emerge, open to the possibility that we can grow as citizens of a great university through the empathetic exchange of ideas.

As citizens and residents of the United States of America, we hold these same expectations for our great country. Today, our democracy was violently attacked, its laws flouted, and its ideals compromised. Innuendo and falsehoods substituted for facts, fairness, and the people's will, with the resultant storming of the U.S. Capitol.

The Caltech community is resilient, as is our democracy. We must stand together to affirm our values, to reject violence and ignorance, and to support one another. Today's events, on top of a truly frightening surge in the coronavirus pandemic and the struggle for racial justice, add another layer of stress to a difficult year. I encourage students who need additional support to contact the professionals in Student Wellness Services; faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and staff have access to assistance via the Staff and Faculty Consultation Center (SFCC).