April 21, 2021
Dear members of the Eastman Community,
With the announcement of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, we can reflect back on the last eleven months, recognizing the unrest and difficulties that have faced society, the University, and the Eastman community. While this past year has presented unprecedented challenges, it has also provided a seminal moment when our school came together to keep each other safe from the COVID pandemic, and where we have committed ourselves to being an antiracist institution where every member of the community is welcome, embraced, respected, and safe.
As President Mangelsdorf shared in her message earlier this afternoon, “This moment is about more than a single trial. This is but one inflection point in a history of structural racism that we hope our nation is finally beginning to fully confront.” The grief, anger, and emotions we feel as a nation must be met with the knowledge that much work remains to ensure justice and respect for all individuals.
In a community and society where opinions vary and differences exist, the critical elements that define our community are the care, compassion, and respect with which we treat one another. I encourage our students, faculty, staff, and community to utilize the resources listed below. Please reach out, check in with one another, and know that we are one community, standing together on our journey to be ever better.
Sincerely yours,
Jamal J. Rossi
Joan and Martin Messinger Dean
CARE Network Resource Center (University-wide for students)
University Counseling Center (University-wide for students)
(585) 275-3113—24 hours a day
University Faith Communities at the Interfaith Chapel (for students, faculty and staff)
(585) 275-4321
Chaplaincy Services (at Medical Center for students, faculty and staff)
(585) 275-2222—24 hours a day
Staff Support—Employee Assistance Program (University-wide for faculty and staff)
(585) 276-9110
Gandhi Institute for Non-Violence
585-463-3265