Statements from the President

A Message from President Thrasher: Protect Each Other, Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine Today!

This message to all students, faculty and staff has been approved by John Thrasher, President of Florida State University.  Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,  As you know, communities around the nation are seeing a considerable rise in COVID-19 cases, sparked by the highly contagious Delta variant. Tallahassee and Florida State University are no different. Currently, we are seeing an uptick in the number of […]

A Message from President Thrasher: Derek Chauvin verdict

Dear FSU Family, The past year has been a difficult and tumultuous one for our country. The verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd may begin to offer a small measure of accountability in a particularly painful chapter in America’s history. I believe that justice was served in this tragic […]

A Message from President Thrasher in Support for Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities

Dear FSU Family,    As the nation continues to grieve over the shootings in Atlanta that killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent, I want to share my own feelings of anger and sadness about this horrific act of violence. Across the country there has been an alarming increase in the number of violent and xenophobic incidents targeting Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and I […]

A Message from President John Thrasher: Condemning Violence in Nation’s Capital

This message to all students, faculty and staff has been approved by John Thrasher, President of Florida State University. Dear FSU Family, Like everyone, I was shocked and deeply disturbed to watch yesterday’s events unfold in our nation’s capital. I strongly condemn this abhorrent display of violence and lawlessness, and as an institution of higher […]

A message from President Thrasher: Thanksgiving Break

Dear FSU Family, As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to express my gratitude to you — our students, faculty and staff — for your flexibility, your resilience and your dedication to Florida State University during these unusual times. After an increase of COVID-19 cases on campus in early September, FSU’s positivity rate has remained relatively […]

A Message from President John Thrasher: Plans for the Future

Dear FSU Family, Today, Florida State University Board of Trustees Chair Ed Burr and I announced that due to the potential impact of COVID-19 on a national presidential search, the time is right to begin planning for FSU’s future. Recognizing the challenges of conducting a presidential search during the pandemic, we agree the Board should […]

A Message from President John Thrasher: Behavior That Threatens Campus Health and Safety

Dear FSU Students, Over the past few days I have learned of several reports of students holding house parties, participating in large gatherings, not wearing face coverings and not social distancing. I am deeply concerned with this sheer defiance to comply with the university’s guidelines and expectations set forth and communicated to you before the fall semester. On Sunday, FSU Police arrested and charged seven students for […]

A Message from President John Thrasher: An Update on Antisemitism and Religious Discrimination

Dear FSU community, I am writing today to update you on our efforts to address concerns expressed by our Jewish community and others and to reaffirm that Antisemitism and religious discrimination have no home at Florida State University. As a minority group, the Jewish people have faced bias and discrimination and have been marginalized for […]

A Message from President John Thrasher: Members Appointed to President’s Task Force on Anti-Racism, Equity & Inclusion

Dear FSU Family, As many of you know, I’ve been engaging in dialogue with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders regarding recent acts of racism nationally, as well as historical racial injustices. As a result of those conversations, in my message to you on July 6, I announced the creation of the President’s Task […]

President Thrasher Announces Special Task Force on Anti-Racism and Racial Equality

Dear FSU Family, The past month has provided each of us an opportunity to confront and reflect on our weaknesses and aspirations related to racism and racial equity. The recent sobering and horrifying moments of violence and racial injustices have profoundly impacted me and the students, faculty and staff of Florida State University. I have […]

A message from President John Thrasher: Anti-Semitism and religious discrimination

Anti-Semitism and religious discrimination have no place at Florida State University. I am aware of a controversy involving the FSU Student Senate President who has posted offensive anti-Semitic rhetoric online. I want to take this opportunity to unequivocally state that we will not tolerate discrimination against groups or individuals. I understand that some Jewish students […]

A Message from President John Thrasher: An update to the campus community

Dear FSU Family, America is hurting, and many in our community are, too. This past week, I, along with members of my leadership team, met with faculty, staff and students, including representatives from the Student Government Association, the Black Student Union, the LGBTQ+ community and others. We heard their anger, frustration and sadness, and we […]