Dear School of Medicine Community,

There are so many names. So many names and so many lives ended by violence. So many lives ended by violence at the hands of those who have sworn to protect and serve; Tamir Rice, Walter Scott, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, and so many others. As we await the jury deliberations in the death of George Floyd, we continue to witness the ongoing killing of Black and Brown men, women and children. Most recently, Adam Toledo, a thirteen year old Latino child, was shot and killed in an alley in Chicago by police as he stood with his hands raised, surrendering to police. At the same time, individuals of Asian descent live in fear of xenophobic violence related to being scapegoated for the coronavirus pandemic. Even if one is not a direct victim of violence, it is still difficult not to feel traumatized. The violence is epidemic and seems senseless. However, if one is familiar with the history of policing in this country, although the current situation is tragic and totally unacceptable, it does not seem senseless.

Modern policing has its roots in antebellum slave patrols which established state sanctioned violence. These patrols were abolished at the end of the civil war, but the legacy of oppressive policing without accountability continues, and can be seen currently in the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Amaud Arbery by neighborhood vigilantes. Being Black is still criminalized (e.g. national drug policy, laws such as “stop and frisk, discriminatory sentencing for non-violent crimes), and the violence continues.

Police violence (and over-policing in general) is a threat both to public and individual health with regard to the manner in which it perpetuates negative stereotypes of minority populations, disrupts the social fabric of communities, and traumatizes and damages the physical and mental health of individuals. There are individuals in our community here at UConn Health who are already traumatized; who are concerned for their own safety; who have made significant changes in their personal and professional lives to decrease the probability of encountering police in the conduct of their personal lives. If this is happening in the environment that we inhabit, imagine the level of fear and anxiety that exists in less privileged settings.

Many among us are traumatized and emotionally exhausted by the relentless onslaught of violence. The trial outcome, either the verdict and/or the subsequent reaction will deepen preexisting trauma. This is not happening in a vacuum as evidenced by the many police killings since George Floyd’s death. We must be ready to support each other, as we find a way to collectively move forward. As racism is a public health threat, collectively and individually we must be part of the solution to the problem. We must stand together and support each other in collective anti-racist action. Mahatma Ghandi challenged us to be the change we wish to see. Therefore, we invite you to a conversation that will proceed over the coming days and weeks as the response to the verdict unfolds. The conversation will be devoted to how, as a community, we may be able to confront racism as an existential threat, and move the anti-racist needle forward.

This may be a good occasion to remind us all that direct support is provided in a number of venues by the institution for the benefit of anyone in need, namely:

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP https://health.uconn.edu/occupational-environmental/employee-assistance-program/); 860-679-2877
Student Behavioral Health (https://health.uconn.edu/student-wellness/psychological-wellness/individual-counseling/), and
The Ombuds Office (https://ombuds.uconn.edu/) 860-679-5061
UConn Health Ombuds – Donna Douglass Williams
Office of Multicultural & Community Affairs (OMCA@uchc.edu)
Assoc. Dean – Dr. David Henderson (Henderson@uchc.edu)
Director – Dr. Linda Barry (lbarry@uchc.edu)

Thank you,

Bruce T. Liang, MD, FACC

Dean, School of Medicine

David Henderson, MD

Associate Dean, Multicultural and Community Affairs

Linda Barry, MD, MPH, FACS

Director, Multicultural and Community Affairs

Melissa Held, M.D.

Associate Dean, Medical Student Affairs

Dear School of Medicine Community,

There are so many names. So many names and so many lives ended by violence. So many lives ended by violence at the hands of those who have sworn to protect and serve; Tamir Rice, Walter Scott, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, and so many others. As we await the jury deliberations in the death of George Floyd, we continue to witness the ongoing killing of Black and Brown men, women and children. Most recently, Adam Toledo, a thirteen year old Latino child, was shot and killed in an alley in Chicago by police as he stood with his hands raised, surrendering to police. At the same time, individuals of Asian descent live in fear of xenophobic violence related to being scapegoated for the coronavirus pandemic. Even if one is not a direct victim of violence, it is still difficult not to feel traumatized. The violence is epidemic and seems senseless. However, if one is familiar with the history of policing in this country, although the current situation is tragic and totally unacceptable, it does not seem senseless.

Modern policing has its roots in antebellum slave patrols which established state sanctioned violence. These patrols were abolished at the end of the civil war, but the legacy of oppressive policing without accountability continues, and can be seen currently in the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Amaud Arbery by neighborhood vigilantes. Being Black is still criminalized (e.g. national drug policy, laws such as “stop and frisk, discriminatory sentencing for non-violent crimes), and the violence continues.

Police violence (and over-policing in general) is a threat both to public and individual health with regard to the manner in which it perpetuates negative stereotypes of minority populations, disrupts the social fabric of communities, and traumatizes and damages the physical and mental health of individuals. There are individuals in our community here at UConn Health who are already traumatized; who are concerned for their own safety; who have made significant changes in their personal and professional lives to decrease the probability of encountering police in the conduct of their personal lives. If this is happening in the environment that we inhabit, imagine the level of fear and anxiety that exists in less privileged settings.

Many among us are traumatized and emotionally exhausted by the relentless onslaught of violence. The trial outcome, either the verdict and/or the subsequent reaction will deepen preexisting trauma. This is not happening in a vacuum as evidenced by the many police killings since George Floyd’s death. We must be ready to support each other, as we find a way to collectively move forward. As racism is a public health threat, collectively and individually we must be part of the solution to the problem. We must stand together and support each other in collective anti-racist action. Mahatma Ghandi challenged us to be the change we wish to see. Therefore, we invite you to a conversation that will proceed over the coming days and weeks as the response to the verdict unfolds. The conversation will be devoted to how, as a community, we may be able to confront racism as an existential threat, and move the anti-racist needle forward.

This may be a good occasion to remind us all that direct support is provided in a number of venues by the institution for the benefit of anyone in need, namely:

• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP https://health.uconn.edu/occupational-environmental/employee-assistance-program/); 860-679-2877
• Student Behavioral Health (https://health.uconn.edu/student-wellness/psychological-wellness/individual-counseling/), and
• The Ombuds Office (https://ombuds.uconn.edu/) 860-679-5061
  • UConn Health Ombuds – Donna Douglass Williams
• Office of Multicultural & Community Affairs (OMCA@uchc.edu)
  • Assoc. Dean – Dr. David Henderson (Henderson@uchc.edu)
  • Director – Dr. Linda Barry (lbarry@uchc.edu)

 

Thank you,

Bruce T. Liang, MD, FACC

Dean, School of Medicine

 

David Henderson, MD

Associate Dean, Multicultural and Community Affairs

 

Linda Barry, MD, MPH, FACS

Director, Multicultural and Community Affairs

 

Melissa Held, M.D.

Associate Dean, Medical Student Affairs

 

This week is Passover, the Jewish holiday celebrating our redemption from slavery in ancient Egypt. We would rather focus on the joy of the Holiday, but the events on campus need a response.

Over the first days of the Holiday of Passover, hateful graffiti was found on various campus buildings.

After the Seder at Chabad, a Jewish student was accosted while carrying a box of Matzah in his hands.

The UConn administration quickly put out a statement condemning these acts of bigotry.

Such displays of hate are not a reflection of our University culture. The UConn community is one of love, support, and mutual respect for one another.

Many students have asked, what should our response to such hateful acts be?

The answer lies in the Seder.

The Seder is not merely a reenactment of a redemption long ago, but rather a living ceremony that speaks of our ability to overcome any obstacle of darkness.

Acts of bigotry can never be ignored. When condemnable words go unanswered, it emboldens evil and leads to negative actions.

Our response however cannot just be vocal.

While these actions do not reflect the UConn campus community, actions such as these darken our campus somewhat and call for a renewed expression of light since this happened here. As such, we are asking everyone to do an extra good deed to bring more light to our community.

My personal mentor and the foremost leader of Judaism in the modern era, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson often taught that in a place of darkness a small amount of light has a great effect. Each of us can do an extra good deed to help someone in need or go out of our way for someone else, and in that way, bring increased light to our community.

When we are faced with opposition and antisemitism, we cannot back down. It is a time to add in Jewish pride and live more Jewishly. Show your Jewish pride and protect your home by adding a Mezuzah to your door, put on Tefilin, light Shabbat candles and do an extra Mitzvah.

Chabad will continue working with the UConn administration to address issues affecting the Jewish community. We will also continue our celebration of Passover and the celebration of freedom.

Any students who feel troubled or intimidated by these hateful actions, please reach out to us. We’re always here for you and we want to listen and help.

While we cannot ignore acts of darkness, we know darkness flees from forces of light and love. Let us add in light and love today and every day.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Shlomo & Shaindel Hecht

Chabad at UConn

To: UConn Community

Huskies,

This week we learned about yet another reported act of antisemitism. Each of these has been a vile attack on the Jewish members of our community. One can only imagine what goes unreported. We must each condemn, reject, and denounce these attacks on our friends, our family, and our Pack.

This cannot continue. We each have a responsibility to each other to do our part to eliminate this behavior. That includes the faculty and staff who impart UConn’s values on us. That includes administrators who set the climate of this university. That includes us, the students, who are responsible for cultivating an inclusive campus culture each and every day. We all must stand against every form of antisemitism and hate.

Further, we all must recognize the struggles that our fellow students have been experiencing in the face of increasing hate and bias on campus. The university, its departments, and its divisions have been reactive. This is simply not enough; without a proactive approach, students will continue to be hurt. USG calls on the UConn administration to release a plan by Friday, April 9th, to deal with these acts of hate and prevent future incidents.

On Monday, April 5th, from 3:30-5:30, UConn Hillel will be hosting a gathering of solidarity for students to demonstrate their hurt, pain, and anger, and call for concrete actions from the UConn administration. On Tuesday the 6th, UConn Hillel will be hosting a Holocaust commemoration ceremony featuring a conversation with a Holocaust survivor. USG will continue to fight antisemitism on campus by working with UConn Hillel to provide educational opportunities and seek support from the UConn administration.

We wish our peers and the campus community safety and health during this time.

Damani R. Douglas

Chief Diversity Officer

Michael Christy

Chief Diversity Officer-Elect

To the UConn community,

In recent days, we have been made aware of several incidents of hateful conduct and speech directed at members of our community on the Storrs campus. This includes vile anti-Semitic graffiti on a building near Hillel and deeply offensive comments directed at members of the LGBTQ community, among others. Our disappointment is matched only by our concern: Any such attack on students, faculty, or staff members is totally unacceptable and has no place at this University.

We are taking these incidents very seriously, and any violations of the law or the Student Code of Conduct will be answered with disciplinary measures and law enforcement where appropriate. But these matters are not only formal violations of codes and statutes: They are directly counter to the spirit and purpose of education, and inimical to the life of a community of scholars and students.

The past year has been extraordinarily difficult for our University, our state, our country, and our world. Despite those hardships, many religious traditions observed this very week recognize the strength of faith and perseverance through the celebrations of Easter and Passover. Beyond these moments recognized by these specific traditions, there remains a true beacon for all of us of the importance of togetherness, compassion, and care displayed by the vast majority of UConn students, faculty, and staff members. We are emerging from a time of challenge as a stronger community, which is why these incidents are particularly hurtful and upsetting. We cannot – we will not – allow the hateful words and conduct of a few individuals damage the spirit of unity that animates this University.

We want to direct you to some of the resources available at UConn, which help strengthen our community by celebrating our diversity:

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion, which offers a wealth of resources and information, as well as the ability to report a bias incident.
The Office of Institutional Equity, which administers UConn’s non-discrimination policies and offers a suite of vital trainings.
The cultural centers on campus, which provide students with a truly remarkable range of programs, as well as offering supportive, sustaining environments for students from a diverse range of backgrounds.
The faith communities that serve UConn, offering spiritual support and direction to the rich variety of traditions in our community.
The Center for Students with Disabilities, which provides outstanding support and programming for our students.
It is also important to remember that if you are the victim of or witness to a crime, the UConn Police Department is here to protect each and every member of our community.

It is distressing to me that a letter like this one is necessary, but it is absolutely urgent for us to make clear to all of our students, faculty, and staff members that you are vital, valued members of the UConn community. For those who feel distressed or uncertain in the face of incidents of abhorrent conduct, let us be as clear as we can: Hate has no place here. Together, we will overcome this, as we can overcome any challenge when we face it as a united University.

Regards,

Tom Katsouleas

President

Carl Lejuez

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Frank Tuitt

Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

Eleanor “Elly” JB Daugherty

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Dear UConn students, staff, and faculty,

I am writing to you today to update you that this past month there were two separate reported bias incidents targeting the LGBTQIA+ community on UConn’s campus.

On March 16, an RA in Alumni Hall found images drawn on a dry-erase board in the lounge space. These images referenced the LGBTQIA+ community in a disparaging manner. The Residential Life staff communicated with and offered support to the complainant and other identified witnesses as well as wrote a community response which can be found here.

On March 20, it was reported that around 6:30pm a person in a car driving on North Eagleville Road yelled a derogatory term out the vehicle window. The Dean of Students Office and the Rainbow Center have reached out to the students targeted and offered support.

I would like to thank all of the individuals who reported the above bias incidents. University administration is following the bias response protocol. This protocol is designed to assure that there are designated places to report incidents and identify potential interventions to remedy harm done.

These acts of hate against the LGBTQIA+ community do not align with the University of Connecticut’s core values or the mission and values of the Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Rainbow Center. LGBTQIA+ individuals comprise UConn’s students, staff, and faculty and are to be celebrated and affirmed as integral members of our global and diverse campus community.

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Rainbow Center want to ensure that those affected by these particular bias incidents receive appropriate support. Below is a list of different resources available to students, staff, and faculty. Additionally, the Rainbow Center has designated 1:1 meetings hours held this Wednesday, March 31, and Friday, April 2, for anyone who would like to meet with Kelsey O’Neil to discuss this matter. Please email the Rainbow Center at rainbowcenter@uconn.edu to reserve your space. Furthermore, anyone wanting to learn more about queer theory/scholarship can also access the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department website.

A list of resources to consult:

InForm
Office for Diversity and Inclusion
Academic Institutes
African American Cultural Center
Asian American Cultural Center
Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center
Rainbow Center
Women’s Center
Queer BIPOC Faculty and Staff Affinity Group
Queer UConn Employees Affinity Group
Dean of Students
Office of Institutional Equity
Sincerely,

Kelsey O’Neil, Director, Rainbow Center

Dr. Frank Tuitt, Vice President/Chief Diversity Officer

As Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Law, I join the statement below issued by the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association condemning Anti-Asian Hate Crimes and Discrimination. Our community stands against racism of every kind. No one should be subject to violence and incidents of hate. Yet, Asian Americans across the country are experiencing such violence and hate more frequently than at any time in recent memory. I call on all of us to join together as a UConn Law community to stand with our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students, staff, faculty, and alumni and stand up against anti-Asian hate.

APALSA Statement Regarding Anti-Asian Hate Crimes and Discrimination

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and even more so recently, we are seeing an abhorrent and heartbreaking surge in violence against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Many of these hate crimes are maliciously targeted at our elderly, a vulnerable population. These crimes are constantly ignored and underreported, and like crimes against other people of color, anti-Asian violence has been under-scrutinized, under-prosecuted, and far too often condoned.

We are tired of seeing our community be violated and disrespected, we are scared for our families and loved ones, we are upset by the silencing of our voices, and we are saddened by the lack of support and solidarity around us. Anti-Asian sentiment is not new; from being labeled as the “yellow peril,” to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, to the internment of Japanese citizens during World War II, we are constantly reminded that we are foreigners on “American land.” And yet, Asians are stereotyped as the “model minority,” a term that erases our struggles and is used as a racial wedge between Asians and other marginalized groups. Not only does it silence our experience, but it is weaponized in furtherance of white supremacy, to create an insidious divide among racial minorities and perpetuate anti-blackness.

It is our responsibility to condemn these violent acts, to raise awareness in our community, and make social changes. We must amplify Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander voices and find ways to protect our community. The rising violence against our community is an urgent reminder that racism and xenophobia are very real, and we must reinforce our commitment and strengthen our actions to dismantle all forms of racial discrimination. We stand with other communities of color and aim to be genuine allies to all. We especially recognize and honor our Black sisters and brothers for their leadership in fighting for justice and we echo their calls for solidarity, equality, and empathy. We are stronger when we act together and come together, and we can facilitate material change to the deeply ingrained issues of systemic racism and white supremacy.

If you are struggling with implicit biases, are experiencing, or have experienced any form of this violence, we are here for you. We are a community that protects and supports each other. UConn Law offers a number of resources for students seeking support, including free appointments with our two confidential mental health counselors, Yvonne Tafuto, LCSW and Melissa Stewart, LPC. Additionally, students are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Student Affairs if they are in need of mental health-related accommodations, or the student-run Mental Health Committee for those interested in discussing recent events with their peers. Finally, free off-campus confidential counseling services are offered to our students by the Connecticut chapter of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. Faculty and staff can seek support from the Employee Assistance Program. Support and resources for faculty and staff can also be found through campus affinity groups.

We send our highest respects and sincere gratitude to those students, affinity groups, faculty, staff, and alumni who provide us with help and care. We believe and we know that together we can create a safe and supportive environment for our UConn community through our collective words and actions.

To that end, we invite you to attend APALSA’s General Body Meeting on Tuesday, March 23 at 12:30pm. Also, plans are underway for a roundtable event on Thursday, April 8 at 5:00pm at which students, faculty, staff, and others can come together for dialogue, education, and personal reflections. We hope many members of our UConn Law community will be in attendance.

In hope and solidarity,

UConn Law APALSA