Ineed, intent is, IMO, very important in this incident and every incident of behavior which smacks of racism, misogyny, homophobia, or any other bias, discrimination or perceived"hate speech."  To contend otherwise is, in my view, as clueless as Ms. Shurtz's wearing blackface.  

President Schill is bending to the political climate on the U of O campus.  To me this doesn't represent leadership, but rather cowardice.  The most extreme factions on campus are demanding Ms. Shurtz's resignation or dismissal.  Schill supports those demands and, at the same time weasels behind "due process" concerns...a classic CYA maneuver.  

He touches on "forgiveness", but such discussion really requires a consideration of intent...a topic he  dismisses early in his email address.  Does the University need to be more "inclusive" and more open  to minority students AND faculty? Of course it does. At the same time it needs to embrace understanding, compassion and forgiveness..they're not mutually exclusive