March 23, 2021

Dear CSU Family,

This morning we are grappling with our grief over the senseless shooting of ten people – including a police officer – very close to home in Boulder, following only days after nine people were shot in Atlanta. While we are still unclear about the identities of those who were senselessly killed in Boulder, we are certain that six of the eight people killed in Atlanta were Asian-American women.

Our Colorado State University community condemns gun violence. We stand against gender and racial violence. We also support and stand for our Asian American Pacific Islander Community. To each and every one of you—faculty, staff, students and alumni: we value you beyond measure, for who you are and for all that you contribute to our vibrant, diverse university family.

We know that the recent shooting in Atlanta was a terrible culmination of rising instances of anti-Asian hate occurring across our country, not only not addressed by national leadership but fomented by some in power. As we hope our own community’s response to the shooting last week makes clear to all of you, CSU will not stand for or be complicit in the disgusting expressions of hate and prejudice that have been aimed at the AAPI community. From our President’s public tweets and direct messages to impacted communities to the message shared with the entire university by the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, we have clearly articulated how much we value and respect AAPI members of our Ram family and abhor hate against them or anyone.

And we are taking action. The VPD message listed numerous actions we can take in response to anti-Asian hate, including:

• Attending this week’s panel, Responding to Anti-Asian Violence: From Hop Alley to Atlanta, hosted by CSU Ethnic Studies with support from the Vice President for Diversity Office, on Wednesday, March 24^th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (register on the VPD site);
• Giving to the CSU Asian Pacific American Cultural Center;
• Supporting local Asian-owned businesses, many of whom have seen a decline in business since the start of the pandemic;
• Supporting non-profits like Stop AAPI Hate and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

I have also reached out to leaders of other institutions in Colorado to propose a convening on how all of us, as institutions of higher education and sites for engaged discourse, can combat anti-AAPI hate in all its forms and expressions. Last night, I  reached out directly to leadership at the University of Colorado to offer our assistance in the coming days and weeks. The CU President has asked for our thoughts and prayers for his community.

In the meantime, if you are hurting or need help, please do not hesitate to seek out the many resources CSU offers to everyone in our community. Students can visit https://health.colostate.edu/mental-health-resources/ and faculty and staff can visit https://eap.colostate.edu/. We know that the shootings in Atlanta and Boulder have had the same tragic outcomes but may impact us differently. You are not alone; we have resources to help you.

Be well, all of you, and know that you are seen, respected and valued as members of the CSU family, now and always.

Warmly,

Joyce