Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
I am heartbroken over Tuesday’s tragedy and the horrific news of increased discrimination and violence against Asians and Asian Americans. We stand with those members of our community. The news is yet one more painful consequence of our society’s racial discord and another symptom of systemic racism.
We need to encourage a larger conversation about ignorance and intolerance. The heart of our School is our diversity—our students bring distinct histories, cultures, and identities to Columbia. It is ingrained in our education here and makes us stronger, wiser, more compassionate citizens. And we have a responsibility to each other, to this institution, and to the professions of which we are a part, to lead on these issues. Tomorrow, the University is hosting a virtual safe space for Asian and Asian American students. Please find below the details to sign up, as well as a list of support and counseling resources available to us all. SPS is also working on these issues and I look forward to sharing more on that very soon.
I believe there is a humility we should carry with us always, while at Columbia and afterward. Let’s look after each other with that humility in mind: What can we learn about each other, and how does what we learn inspire kindness here in the lives of our community in New York, and throughout the world? Especially as many of us continue to work and learn remotely, do make a point to reach out to one another, and keep others’ well-being in your mind always. We all must do this in our teaching, in our studies, and in our work alongside our colleagues—let us dedicate ourselves to upholding our core values of respect, integrity, and civility.
Again, I want to reiterate that we stand with our community against intolerance, racism, and violence.
Sincerely,
Troy Eggers
Interim Dean, School of Professional Studies
Executive Vice Provost, Columbia University
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- Virtual Support Space for Asian International and Asian American Columbia students: Counseling & Psychological Services will be hosting this space for students to speak openly, in a safe environment, about their own experiences and reactions to this tragedy and the general increase in anti-Asian violence. The support space will be held tomorrow, Friday, March 19, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Students who would like more information and the Zoom link can email sp2586 [[at]] cumc [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu or wc2714 [[at]] cumc [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu with “Asian Support Space” in the subject line.
- Counseling & Psychological Services:
- For students within the United States looking to schedule a new virtual appointment, please call 212-854-2878, Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- For students residing outside the United States interested in counseling services, click here and use "Columbia University" as your student code when logging in.
- The Office of the University Chaplain or Religious Life offers a variety of religious and spiritual-based support services including virtual confidential pastoral counseling, faith communities, religious advisers, and prayer and meditation spaces.
- The SPS Office of Student Wellness team is available to meet with SPS students and provide additional support and guidance.
All students are encouraged to report incidents of bias, harassment, or discrimination. You may submit a report by clicking here.
