from:	jk <jacob.kogan@gmail.com>
to:	president@umbc.edu,
Jacob Kogan <jacob.kogan@gmail.com>
date:	Oct 11, 2023, 8:36 PM
subject:	A new war in the Middle East

Dear Dr. Sheares Ashby,

On Saturday, October 7, 2023 the world awoke to a new war in the Middle East.
Today, October 11, the war waged by Hamas continues and is expanding from South
Israel and Gaza to North Israel, South Lebanon, and Syria. A number of
Americans are killed, and some kidnapped by Hamas to Gaza against their will.
Many other nationals share their fate. Not surprisingly the majority of the
victims are Israelis.

The events are significant enough to prompt the President of the United States
to publicly address the issue a number of times, most recently yesterday, October 10.
In an emotional speech Mr. Biden felt it is appropriate to make his position as well
as the position of the United States to be known to the world. It is important to share
the UMBC leadership position on the subject with the UMBC community.

Under the previous UMBC President (President Hrabowski) UMBC leaders (usually
the President and the Provost) used to address the UMBC community and state their
position concerning significant events affecting the community, our nation, and
the world. As an institution of higher learning UMBC shapes young generation
professionally, and at the same time has the moral responsibility to prepare
young people for a healthy civic life of the country.

I realize that your job is a very demanding one, and your time is a precious commodity.
In case you missed it, I urge you to familiarize yourself with current events. While
relevant information is widely available I take the liberty to attach a short clip
related to the evolving crisis that might be of interest to you. The silence coming
from UMBC leadership at this critical time speaks volumes.

With best regards,

Jacob Kogan