As members of the San Diego community, and as individuals, the tragic kidnapping and murder of Danielle van Dam have profoundly touched us. The depth to which this community has been affected has been eloquently portrayed through the outpouring of compassion and assistance to Danielle's family. As a child, Danielle is everyone's neighbor, and what happened to her is everyone's concern.

We are ashamed of, and disheartened by, the Koala's incredibly callous trivialization of the horrendous circumstances of Danielle's disappearance. The article is an affront to common decency and the respect and humanity that characterizes our students, faculty and staff. On behalf of the UCSD community, we condemn the Koala's abuse of the Constitutional guarantee of free expression and disavow their unconscionable behavior.

                                                Joseph W. Watson
                                                Vice Chancellor