Wyatt R. Hume
Provost and Executive Vice President—Academic and Health Affairs
University of California

President Dynes is away on travel this week. As Acting President I wish to condemn the placement of an incendiary device outside the residence of a UCLA faculty member last weekend. Animal rights extremists have claimed responsibility for this deplorable act, which violates not only criminal law but our standards of civil discourse in a free society.

Violence, physical threats, and destruction of property are simply unacceptable means of advancing any individual’s or organization’s views about political or policy matters. With the leadership of Senator Feinstein and the support of the University of California, Congress last year passed and the President signed legislation enhancing the ability of federal authorities to prosecute extremists who use such heinous means to advance their cause.

Research involving the use of animals has contributed significantly to the development of scientific breakthroughs and medical therapies. Such research is subject to strict federal and state regulation designed to ensure the humane and ethical treatment of animals, and it also is subject to extensive review and oversight within the University itself. The welfare of these animals is of great importance to the University and is taken extremely seriously.

UCLA is cooperating with federal and local law enforcement investigating last weekend’s deeply disturbing incident. The University of California, as a whole, remains fully committed to providing for the safety of our faculty and all members of our campus communities.

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A statement from UCLA can be found at www.ucla.edu.