In a letter sent to the entire “university community” Friday, Coveno addresses the issue of speech that “may be deeply hurtful and may cause anger, confusion and feelings of betrayal.” He also reminds students that the school offers counseling and other services to help handle this “deeply hurtful” speech.

While Coveno does not detail the specific incidents that prompted the letter, he states that he feels compelled to write because of attempts to “ostracize oure students who are immigrants or children of immigrants.” He does not mention Knowles’ upcoming appearance on the campus (Tuesday, April 23), but the timing of the letter and a few of its references has raised eyebrows among the sponsors of the event, Young America’s Foundation.

“Over the years, I’ve spoken with countless families in our community whose dreams for their children are like those of my family,” Coveno begins. “They want their kids to receive a college education so they’ll have good careers and a bright future. Cal State LA offers fertile ground for those dreams to come true as our students explore new ideas and opportunities together. That’s the experience I hope our students will have here.”

The tone of the letter then dramatically shifts. “But there are times when their experiences are not ones that I wish for them,” writes Coveno. He follows that ominous comment with a discussion of the “cost” of free speech.

“As a public university, we uphold the right to free speech — but I want you to know that I recognize its cost,” he writes. “Some speech may be deeply hurtful and may cause anger, confusion and feelings of betrayal among many in our community.”

The university president then suggests that his comments have been triggered by some students’ insensitive statements about immigrants. “As a first-generation college graduate, whose life was changed through education, I cannot remain silent in the face of actions that ostracize our students who are immigrants or children of immigrants,” he continues. “When the actions of a few on our campus lack the compassion and sensitivity that characterize healthy dialogue, it is our collective responsibility to restore those values.”

Coveno then makes clear that when he says “immigrants,” he includes illegal immigrants. “I stand, in unwavering solidarity, with all our students, regardless of their immigration status,” he writes, adding: “To demean and insult in a blatant attempt to provoke others is wrong. Dreamers and other immigrant students are transforming their lives through education and realizing their dreams.”

Knowles’ speech has been promoted by members of YAF in part as addressing the issue of illegal immigration, including the group holding a “build the wall” event.

Coveno then provides contact information for the university’s counseling and psychological services office as well as the Dreamers Resource Center.

“The role of the University in these divisive times is to stand for the values and principles that are central to higher education and to a civil society,” Coveno concludes. “As we witness the polarization of our nation, we must not allow that vitriol to influence how we relate to each other. In our community, compassion and caring are fundamental and divisiveness has no place.”

Knowles’ recent YAF-sponsored speech titled “Men Are Not Women” on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City was met with protesters, who attempted to obstruct other students from hearing his speech by drowning out the speaker. The event erupted in chaos when one student sprayed an unknown liquid on Knowles, prompting campus police to arrest the demonstrator. The chancellor of the university responded to the ugly incident by denouncing Knowles and praising the protesters.