Message from the Office of the President: Chauvin Trial Resources and Board of Regents Update

March 5, 2021
Campus Affairs

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

I want to congratulate you on a successful, even if difficult, first half of the semester. COVID-19 rates remain low at all of our campuses; learning, research, and outreach are proceeding well; and I continue to see countless examples of members of our University community supporting each other and practicing care, patience, and resilience.

I am reaching out this afternoon to share a number of important updates that affect us across the University system.

Chauvin Trial—Community Resources

On Monday, many Minnesotans and others across the country will turn their attention to downtown Minneapolis, where jury selection will begin in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. We know that the coming weeks may be deeply challenging, and we recognize the impacts and stress for many across our community, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. We have support available, including the following mental health resources for all students, faculty, and staff:


We have also launched a new webpage that offers additional support resources and information about related events and learning opportunities for our entire University community—resources that will help us all better understand and process the events associated with and surrounding the trial. If you are planning such programming or would like to contribute related resource information, please let us know so we can share it.

Upcoming Public Forum on University Police Use of Portable Audio/Video Recorders

In alignment with Dr. Cedric Alexander’s recent report on policing on the Twin Cities campus and as part of our first steps toward implementing four initial recommendations, the University’s Board of Regents will accept public comment on the use of body-worn cameras by University police departments. The virtual public forum is necessary to comply with state law, and will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 12. Those wishing to speak must sign up in advance at regents.umn.edu/public-comment. Available speaking slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Written comments are also encouraged, and will become part of the public record when submitted online. This forum is just a first step in our broader commitment to safety and we thank you in advance for your engagement.

Lastly, I hope you will join me later today, Friday, March 5, at 5 p.m. for a virtual poetry reading and conversation with National Book Award winning poet Nikky Finney and College of Liberal Arts Professor Douglas Kearney. They will discuss art, activism, and social change as part of Voice, Art, and Community: A UMN Series.

Be healthy, safe, and well.

With warmest regards,
Joan Gabel