Open Letter from the Odum Institute for Research in Social Science:
We have been overwhelmed by the support our statement on Silent Sam has received. As we enter our 95th year on campus, we often find ourselves looking back to the Odum Institute’s roots, which show us that the social and economic problems Dr. Howard W. Odum studied are still relevant today.
Like our founder, we believe recognizing those problems and addressing them head-on is the only way to make any progress in solving them. We consider social science research to be an essential part of that process.
We are pleased that the Board of Governors decided not to relocate Silent Sam to Odum Village. More importantly, the responses and outpouring of support we have received from many of you give us incredible optimism for the future. We are fortunate to be part of such a passionate, resilient, and powerful community, and your support re-invigorates our commitment to advancing social science research for the betterment of society.
Thank you all.
Signed,
The Staff of the Howard W. Odum Institute for Research in Social Science