“No one cares about Marshall.”

This simplistic statement was made by West Virginia University’s President Gordon Gee during a faculty senate meeting last week. Though this short editorial could give statistics about just how many people – students, faculty, staff and Huntington residents— not only care about Marshall but who also love it, perhaps it would be best to dedicate this as an open letter to President Gee. 

Many of your students already disrespect Marshall, President Gee. Now, they’ve seen their president verbally belittle us and may feel even more encouraged to mistreat us. You’ve added fuel to a fire that should have been put out long ago, or that should have never been lit in the first place. History is history and what’s past is past, but it is a shame this is our present. Our President Jerry Gilbert has worked hard and dedicated so much time to bettering our university. He has tried to make peace with you and bring the two proud universities together. 

President Gee, we suggest setting a better example for your students, so that they may understand how to behave and treat those different than them. Friendly rivalry or no, (though just when exactly was the last time our football teams played one another?) we are talking about two distinguished colleges in the same state. A state that, may we remind you, is too often looked down upon. It appears awfully bad that now our two largest universities can’t seem to get along. For years Marshall has always turned the other cheek and humbly accepted our shortcomings, without ever denouncing WVU. Can your school say the same, President? 

We don’t need to tell you, you already know, but your statement hurt. And what did Marshall do to deserve this? Your comment stemmed from discussing the conceal carry bill, which you supported. President Gilbert tried to protect his students from getting shot walking to class by protesting the notorious HB 2519, yet you supported it, because you believed it would pass. President Gilbert stood up for what he believed in; he stood up for what he believed was right, and he wanted to do what was best for his college and his students no matter how grave the situation was in the senate. And we must include that President Gilbert managed to do this without uttering a single negative word about WVU. Perhaps you should take some lessons from him. From what we can tell, President Gee, you did not fight to kill the bill as hard as Marshall did, though you tried to create more regulations. But who should care, right? Except that a school shooting would be a school shooting, in Morgantown or Huntington. 

Yes, it is all good and well that you expressed your opinion. We would never advocate for the restriction of free speech, but you knew this was on video, for anyone to see, and we did eventually see it. Those who care about Marshall saw it, and it does not matter your original intent, President Gee, because now it is out there for us to interpret. Of course, it doesn’t take much for us to understand your blatant meaning. 

You think your university is more important and overall better than Marshall because you’re worth more money with a bigger budget. It is true many more students attend WVU, but how can one place a worth on the value of a good education that students receive? Or of a city so welcoming that gives as we give back? Having more students does not and should not equal more importance. 

Some final thoughts to close, President Gee. You can continue to think no one cares about us. But you would be wrong. And we will continue to know our worth and our value.

We are Marshall.