The death of George Floyd and too many others, coming on the heels of a pandemic that has disproportionately impacted communities of color, have left many of us feeling pain, uncertainty, and vulnerability, especially our students and faculty of color. Know that we as a Psychology Department stand with you who have suffered, and continue to suffer, from the long history of injustice in our society. We must fight racism in all its forms, by embracing multiculturalism, diversity, and greater inclusion.
President Sands and Vice-President Pratt-Clarke have asked us to reflect not only on the crisis at hand, but also on how we are uniquely situated “to prepare the next generation to lead in a new and better world.” Guided by our core values of Ut Prosim and our Principles of Community, we must all (especially those in positions of power and privilege) ask ourselves what we can do to make these values a reality for everyone in our community. I look forward to working with our faculty, staff, and students and asking for their input and participation as we attempt to create a safe, fair, and compassionate community for all.