As President Driscoll told you in his message on Monday, the Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement and the Office of Social Equity and Title IX have planned an event for student conversation and support following today's announcement of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial.
The program will be held tonight, Tuesday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m. in MSCLE's Great Room in Elkin Hall. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, in-person attendance is limited; available space will be offered to students on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also participate remotely via Zoom link.
Students will be given first preference for in-person attendance; students, please call 724-357-2598 to reserve your in-person attendance.
Students, faculty, and alumni leaders participating in the discussion includes representatives from Students Against Racism; the NAACP IUP Student Chapter; the Frederick Douglass Institute Collaborative; Student Government Association; and Black Experience Alumni Committee.
An opportunity for informal conversation and discussion will take place following the formal program. Members of the MSCLE staff, the IUP Interfaith Council, and the Counseling Center and others will be available for you.
While we cannot know your experiences, we have heard your anger, your pain, and your frustration. Please know that we are here for you. Tonight's event, while it cannot erase the hurt that you may be feeling, is a time to come together for support and to talk and to listen to one another.
There will be additional opportunities after that event for you to express your thoughts and feelings and for you to get additional support. We will keep you informed about these and other related events.
If you have specific questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to the Office of Social Equity/Title IX; the IUP Counseling Center is also here for you.
Thank you for all that you have done to support one another. We will get through this together.
Sincerely,
Elise Glenn, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer/Title IX Coordinator
and
Thomas Segar, Vice President for Student Affairs