Dear ESSIE students, staff, and faculty,

We write to you today as we continue to mourn the victims of last week’s horrific shootings in Atlanta, which took the lives of eight people, including six women of Asian descent. This tragic crime occurred after a year of increasingly hateful attacks aimed at Asian Americans, spurred on by xenophobic and racist rhetoric nationwide.

To all of our students, faculty, and staff of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander descent, we stand with you against discrimination, hate, fear, and intimidation. We recognize that all marginalized peoples may feel under attack given what has happened and continues to happen in our country almost daily. Together, we can and must condemn bigotry of any kind. We are united in our belief that hateful words and attitudes have no place in the world, especially in our school. We will do everything in our collective power to create a community of respect, support and empowerment.

If you’re experiencing bias, prejudice, or micro/macroaggression, please reach out to me or any member of the ESSIE Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Committee.

We also want to provide you with some resources during this time. Students are encouraged to reach out to U Matter, We Care or the Counseling & Wellness Center. Faculty and staff can connect with the Employee Assistance Program.

In solidarity and support,
Kirk Hatfield, Ph.D., and the IDEA Committee