Message from the Office of the President: A statement supporting our Asian community members

Dear Twin Cities students, faculty, and staff,

The news out of Atlanta and continued acts of violence and discrimination across our nation against individuals of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander descent horrify all of us. The University of Minnesota stands in solidarity and support with our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander University family and community in mourning those lost, and in denouncing all forms of violence, discrimination, racism, and bias, including these hateful acts. We recognize our important responsibility to do more and to do better to ensure that every member of our University family feels safe and supported.

Our shared responsibility, one that upholds the mission of the University of Minnesota, is to understand, educate, and dismantle the mechanisms by which racism is allowed to persist. Earlier today, Regents Professor Dr. Erika Lee testified before Congress on the elements of racism that continue to perpetuate, generation after generation, for so many in our community. I encourage you to watch her testimony.

Join me in committing to bring our energy, our passion, and our care for each other to bear on ending this heartbreaking cycle of racially motivated violence and discrimination.

These challenges can weigh heavily on our shoulders. The University has many resources to help you navigate through such challenges. They include:

• Student mental health resources
• Faculty and staff mental health resources
• Opportunities for support and discussion related to the Derek Chauvin trial
• Office for Equity and Diversity and other resources

Please continue to stay healthy, safe, and well.

With warmest regards,

Joan Gabel