As protests and understandable outrage unfold across the nation over the recent killings of unarmed African Americans, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, we want to acknowledge the tremendous pain this violence has caused to many in our own community.
Enshrined in Columbia’s core values is our commitment to recognize the dignity and value of every person. These most recent violent acts occur against a long backdrop of anti-Black racism in the United States, rooted in slavery and reinforced over time in many facets of our nation’s culture and institutions. And they remind us that we have a long way to go toward achieving true equality for all.
As a University, we are committed to facing and responding to the challenges of our time, which unquestionably include systemic racial inequities – in our criminal justice system, in access to socioeconomic and educational opportunity, and in health care, where we have seen the disparate impact of COVID-19 on people of color and immigrants throughout the United States.
In this difficult time, please know that you are not alone. Be kind to one another. And, as always, make use of the many available campus resources, including virtual health and counseling services (Morningside and CUIMC) and support from Religious Life.
If you or someone you know has experienced bias, please reach out to your Dean of Students. For questions or concerns regarding discrimination, please contact Student Conduct and Community Standards. Faculty and staff are encouraged to contact EOAA with similar questions and concerns. Anyone in the Columbia community can also use the "report an incident" button at the top of University Life's website to report a concern about bias or discrimination.
Visit the University Life website to get more information about resources, or write to [email protected] if you’d like to get in touch with us.
In community,
Professor Suzanne B. Goldberg
Executive Vice President for University Life
Herbert and Doris Wechsler Clinical Professor of Law
Joseph Defraine Greenwell, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs, University Life
Gender Pronouns: He/Him/His
