Dear IUP students,
I am writing during the Derek Chauvin trial to provide information about support resources that may be helpful to you if you are experiencing anxiety over the television coverage, viewing the video of George Floyd's death, or the impending verdict.
During the pre-verdict period, The Fredrick Douglass Institute Collaborative is hosting several excellent opportunities to join the discussion about racism in America. The Douglass Research & Debate Days run April 15 (today) and April 16, 19, 20 and 23, and feature many valuable discussion events. Finally, there is a special Community Healing Space set for Friday, April 23, at 1:00 p.m. The full schedule of events is also at that site.
On the day the verdict is announced, MCSLE and the Social Equity and Title IX Office will host a student discussion event. We will keep you informed about this and other related events.
I also want to share some suggestions for self-care, and encourage you to read more about the importance of taking care of yourself.
Create safeguards around watching the trial. Set limits and boundaries and give yourself permission to not watch if watching provokes too much anxiety or is retraumatizing. Find other ways to support social justice. There are groups that share your concerns; at IUP, you can come to an NAACP Student Chapter meeting or join Students against Racism.
Acknowledge your feelings: take a moment to be present with yourself and name the feelings you may be having.
Create community. Come to the Meet Up on Fridays from 8:00-10:00 p.m. in Folger or check out groups that share your interests. Visit the MSCLE webpage or Crimson Connect for more information about these groups and other organizations.
Prioritize self-care with boundaries: take an internal inventory of moments when you experienced joy.
Talk to a counselor. The IUP Counseling Center is available to provide counseling and support to students. You can reach them at counseling-center@iup.edu to schedule an appointment.
In the meantime, please take good care and finish the semester strong. If you experience discrimination or just wish to talk, you can always reach me at social-equity@iup.edu.
Elise Glenn
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer/Title IX Coordinator