Dear Members of the GW Community:
I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that the recent announcements of grand jury decisions not to indict the police officers responsible for the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner and the retraction of the Rolling Stones article detailing a sexual assault on the UVA campus have deeply affected many people within our GW community. As I overhear conversations, read Twitter and Facebook posts, and scour news articles and their corresponding comments, it is clear that we have much to be sad, hurt, disappointed and yes, even angry about. At the same time, however, we should be encouraged by the displays of generosity, solidarity and sincere attempts to actively engage in difficult dialogues.
I have asked the ODI team to collaborate with colleagues across the campus to identify and sponsor initiatives that support our students and faculty as they join in the effort to advance solutions to the problems of racial injustice and violence against women. The goals are twofold. First, is to provide the time and virtual and physical space to share and provoke deep thoughts about our feelings, perspectives and experiences. If our community is to thrive, every member of our community must have the space and freedom to freely voice their concerns, questions and ideas. Second, is to increase our knowledge of the significant social, economic, political and legal realities shaping these tragic events.
I encourage you to end 2014 thinking deeply and compassionately about the fate of others and your role as citizen-leaders, who bear responsibility for helping our campus and this nation live up to our ideals and achieve our aspirations for excellence and equity. We encourage you to start the new year partnering with us to strengthen our community through respectful and empathetic dialogue and strategic involvement and leadership. I am excited about the extraordinary potential for GW to once again make history as we respond to the national need for informed, open-minded, and socially responsible people prepared to act for the common good.
Best regards,
Dr. Terri Harris Reed
Vice Provost for Diversity & Inclusion