Posted 3:12 p.m. Monday, June 1, 2020
UWL leadership shares a message with the campus community.
UW-La Crosse leadership shared the following message with the campus community on Monday, June 1, 2020:
Dear UWL campus community:
In recent weeks, we’ve seen many responses to the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Tony McDade among countless others. More broadly, we’ve been reminded of the ever-present issues of systemic racism, injustice, police violence, bias and racial profiling throughout our country.
We must not shy away from these difficult moments and the discomfort surrounding them. We must commit, more than ever, to confront the way white supremacy and racism are embedded in all of America's public institutions, including our university. As members of a predominantly white institution, it is our obligation to support, affirm and advocate for all who are marginalized in our campus and local communities.
Diversity makes us stronger not just as a university, but as human beings. We must continue the critical work of building an inclusive campus — one that attracts and retains diverse students, faculty and staff, and that stresses the importance of being a global citizen. Even as our campus community has been apart in recent months, we have not lost sight of the fact that we are stronger together. That has never been more relevant than it is today. As an institution, we are at our best when we support, uplift and — perhaps most of all — take the time to listen to one another.
To the black and brown students, faculty and staff who are part of our campus community: Our university stands with you. We are sorry for the pain these events have caused, and we are committed to doing our part to build a brighter, safer and more inclusive world.
Although our people are not physically on campus, please know that many offices continue to be a resource for those seeking support. This list was sent to the campus community last week; we’d like to reiterate it today:
- Counseling and Testing Center at 608.785.8073
- Student Life at studentlife@uwlax.edu
- Office of Multicultural Students Services (OMSS) at omss@uwlax.edu
- Campus Climate at campusclimate@uwlax.edu
- Student Support Services at sss@uwlax.edu
- Pride Center at pridecenter@uwlax.edu
- ACCESS Center at ACCESSCenter@uwlax.edu
- Upward Bound at upwardbound@uwlax.edu
- Faculty and staff who need support should use the Employee Assistance Program.
For our campus community members hoping to educate themselves and their communities regarding issues of racism and how they can be an anti-racist, Assistant Professor Shilpa Viswanath, Political Science and Public Administration, has shared a list of resources:
- How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Anti-Racism Resource collection - http://www.resourcesharingproject.org/anti-racism-resource-collection
- Teaching Tolerance project - https://www.tolerance.org/professional-development/white-antiracism-living-the-legacy;
- List of anti-racism resources - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/edit?usp=drivesdk
- Anti-Racism Guide - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hpub-jkm9cLzJWqZSsETqbE6tZ13Q0UbQz--vQ2avEc/edit?usp=drivesdk
Please connect with your family and friends to support one another through these challenging times. Take care, be safe and lean into others for hope, love and strength.
In solidarity,
Joe Gow, Chancellor
Barbara Stewart, Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion
Betsy Morgan, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Bob Hetzel, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
Vitaliano Figueroa, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Greg Reichert, Vice Chancellor for Advancement