East Carolina University officials issued a "message to the ECU community" on Friday in response to the campaign visit by President Donald Trump on Wednesday and the controversy it has caused.

The visit has gotten a lot of reaction in particular because of a response by the crowd while Trump was talking about the four Democratic congresswomen he mentioned in a tweet last weekend: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Rep. Rashida Tlaib. That tweet led to the Democratic-led U.S. House vote Tuesday night to condemn President Donald Trump's "racist comments" against the four congresswomen.

During Wednesday's campaign stop, Trump talked about the four congresswomen, saying "Tonight I have a suggestion for the hate-filled extremists who are constantly trying to tear our country down," Trump told the crowd in North Carolina, a swing state he won in 2016 and wants to claim again in 2020. "They never have anything good to say. That's why I say, 'Hey if you don't like it, let 'em leave, let 'em leave.'"

When Omar's name came up, a chant from the crowd began saying "Send her back! Send her back!" The chant went on for about 10 seconds before Trump returned to his speech.

Since that speech, Trump has gone back and forth on the incident.

Below is the message ECU sent out.

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July 19, 2019

Dear ECU Community,

We have received a great deal of feedback since the Trump Campaign visit on Wednesday (July 17). As you know and was stated several times, East Carolina University did not sponsor, host or endorse the event. As a public university, however, we must follow federal, state and UNC System guidelines regarding free speech. The Trump Campaign rented Minges Coliseum, which is available to any for-profit or non-profit group. With this event and with any event on our campus, the University does not control, and is not responsible for, the content of speech.

East Carolina University attracts students, faculty and staff from all over the region, state, nation and world. For decades, people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences have been proud to call themselves Pirates. A diverse campus allows us to pursue excellence in many ways and fields, to communicate effectively with a broad variety of audiences, and – according to our alumni – to be well prepared for the world after graduation.

ECU is indeed a welcoming and accepting campus that provides students, faculty and staff the opportunity and space to share their thoughts and views. We strive to create an environment where individuals feel wanted, welcomed, appreciated and valued, understanding that there will be times we disagree. That challenge, and sometimes conflict, builds resiliency and sharpens the intellect. That’s the beauty of living, learning and working at a great institution of higher education.

We encourage and welcome civil discourse on our campus. The U.S. Constitution allows the intellectual and individual freedom of expression that enables us to live our mission. These freedoms do not protect the right to hear and listen to only what is convenient and agreeable but do protect the right to be able to respond and express one’s own views. We will facilitate such conversations on the campus in the fall.

Across our campus, we strive to live out our ECU Creed (included below) and work toward a community that cherishes our diversity as a strength and value in our community and nation.

The ECU Creed

In the pursuit of educational excellence, responsible stewardship, and intellectual freedom, the community of scholars at East Carolina University is committed to learning at the highest level. Founded in the tradition of service and leadership, members of our academic society exemplify high standards of professional and personal conduct at all times. Therefore, we aspire to the following:

As an East Carolinian, I will carry out personal and academic integrity. I will respect and appreciate the diversity of our people, ideas, and opinions. I will be thoughtful and responsible in my words and actions. I will engage in purposeful citizenship by serving as a positive role model. By striving to meet these aspirations on and off campus, our individual freedom to learn and a pledge to serve will be preserved.

Dan Gerlach Interim Chancellor

Ron Mitchelson Provost & Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Sara Thorndike Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance

Chris Dyba Vice Chancellor for University Advancement

Mark Stacy Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences

Jay Golden Vice Chancellor for Research, Economic Development, and Engagement

Virginia Hardy Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Donna Payne University Counsel and Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs