June 10, 2004
TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
Dear Colleagues:
To honor the memory of former California Governor and President Ronald Reagan, President George W. Bush and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have ordered all federal and state buildings to fly flags at half-staff for 30 days from the day of Mr. Reagan's passing. They also have declared Friday, June 11, as a National Day of Mourning, and a Day of Mourning in California. Federal and state offices will be closed on that day.
UC President Robert Dynes has asked that all the campuses, in keeping with University of California tradition, observe an official 30-day period of mourning for a former President of the United States. However, President Dynes has decided not to close the University of California tomorrow, based on the difficulties this would entail at a time when most of the campuses are in the midst of final examinations and are preparing for commencement and the close of the academic year. Accordingly, UCSB will remain open tomorrow.
Our campus flag was lowered on June 5 and will continue to be at half-staff through July 5. Out of respect for former President Reagan and his family, we held a memorial moment of silence at last week's College of Creative Studies commencement, and will do the same at each of our six commencement ceremonies this weekend. UCSB will also join in a nationwide tribute by playing the carillon at 10:15 a.m. tomorrow, in concert with bells across America. This is an opportunity for us, as individuals and as a community, to reflect on the passing of our nation's 40th President, and to pay tribute to his memory.
--
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor
UC Santa Barbara