In support of our Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities
Dear McKelvey Engineering Community,
Throughout the past year, the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities have faced increasing discrimination, violence, and hate. And now the loss of life from the horrific shooting of eight people, including six Asian women, in Atlanta Tuesday night adds to the intolerable, ongoing acts of hate and violence. I join with others in McKelvey Engineering in mourning the victims and denouncing all forms of racism, bias, hate, and discrimination.
To our students, faculty and staff of Asian descent, we recognize how personal this is, and McKelvey Engineering stands in support of you. So many of our McKelvey family identify with Asian heritage and I want all of you to know that we know how painful this is for you. We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming environment for everyone in our community. As we continue to expand our global engagement, ensuring that all races and cultures and identities are respected and supported is paramount.
Please know that here in our School we take reports of discrimination or bias seriously. Any member of our community who has experienced or witnessed discrimination or an act of bias or hate, I encourage you to report it here (https://students.wustl.edu/bias-report-support-system).
Grappling with the tragedy in Atlanta only adds to the stress of these challenging times. Please remember to take care of yourself and also to be there for your peers. Remember that the University offers resources to support your mental health and well-being. Students can contact the Habif Health and Wellness Center, and faculty and staff can access employee wellness resources.
On a personal note I will share that I find it is so easy to become disheartened by the onslaught of these tragic events. Making our world a more just and equitable place sometimes feels simply unattainable. So I have to believe each of us can make a difference. McKelvey Engineering is focusing on creating a more equitable and inclusive environment within our School and I am committed to continuing to support these efforts. I ask everyone in our community to determine how they best can make our School, and indeed our world, better.
Sincerely,
Aaron Bobick
Dean and James M. McKelvey Professor
