Associate Vice President of the Office of Public Affairs Terri Carbaugh Issues the Following Statement on University Art Museum

LONG BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 19, 2018) –In response to questions raised about statements made by lauren woods during her presentation at the University Theater, the following statement can be attributed to Terri Carbaugh, spokesperson:

"It is important to understand that the departure of Kimberli Meyer is unrelated to the exhibit’s contents. We view our campus as an ideal place for important-- and sometimes difficult-- discussions to take place. While Ms. Meyer's artistic vision is supported by the College of the Arts, the day-to-day and long-term operation of a university museum demands more."

"Regarding the request for transcripts -- During Tuesday’s presentation at the University Theater, lauren woods herself described the recordings as ‘upsetting’ to her and her research assistant, and she shared how listening to them caused her emotional and physical pain. Campus officials sought transcripts not to curtail free speech or artistic expression, but to gain a clearer understanding if the campus would need to invest in counseling staff who could assist any student who might experience an emotional trigger as a result of the intensity of the exhibit. There is no link between the request for transcripts and the termination of Ms. Meyer. The decision to separate from Ms. Meyer accrued over a longer period of time."