Statement from Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly

Nov. 17, 2011

AUSTIN, Texas — Dr. Soncia Reagins-Lilly, dean of students, comments on media reports about a controversial Twitter post sent this week regarding the shooting at the White House. The reports claim the tweet came from an official of a University of Texas at Austin organization.

Reagins-Lilly's statement follows:

Wednesday's Twitter posting about the recent shooting at the White House was offensive and antithetical to the ideals the university promotes with regard to public discourse.

So, too, are some of the threatening and harassing responses to that posting. Federal privacy law and concerns about safety currently prevent us from releasing any additional information.

We urge all students, alumni and friends to respect the spirit of The University of Texas at Austin honor code which calls for "integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community."

For more information, contact: Gary Susswein, Office of the President, 512 471 4945.