Racist Incidents: Coming Together to Overcome

Dear Rackham Community,

As the interim dean of Rackham Graduate School, I join with you and others across campus in denouncing the incidents of racism and bigotry that have continued to plague our campus over the last few weeks and mar the start of the fall term. I would also like to emphasize the dedication of everyone here at Rackham to supporting students, faculty, and staff as we acknowledge the pain caused by these attacks and strive together to overcome them and carry on with our scholarship and our work.

There is no doubt that the frequency and nature of these incidents have impacted our entire University community personally and emotionally. But when faced with actions geared toward driving us apart, it is vital to come together in order to better understand our feelings, our thoughts, and our needs.

To that end, I would like to call your attention to several upcoming events designed for that purpose and sponsored by Rackham in collaboration with student leaders and campus partners.

Wednesday, October 4, 12:00 to 2:00 pm
A Space for Healing

Share your thoughts about incidents on campus in a safe, collaborative space geared toward healing and understanding. Lunch will be served.

West Conference Room, Fourth Floor, Rackham Building

Register for A Space for Healing

Cuts: Responding to Student Climate Concerns

Join the CRLT Players for a two-session series that invites participants to think together about the many forces that can shape campus climate both positively and negatively.

Session 1: October 9, 2017
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Assembly Hall, Fourth Floor, Rackham Building

Analyze a series of bias incidents from the perspective of a targeted student and explore strategies for intervening effectively.

Register for Session 1

Session 2: October 16, 2017
12:00 to 2:00 pm
Assembly Hall, Fourth Floor, Rackham Building

Consider the impacts of an “isolated” bias incident on a targeted student and develop strategies for responding.

Register for Session 2

I hope you will be able to attend some or all of these important events as we as a graduate school and a university continue to contend with those who seek to trigger our reactions in order to bring attention to their own deplorable agendas. None of us can guarantee that incidents like these won’t happen again, but all of us can help each other understand what we need to overcome them and thrive.

Sincerely,

Mike Solomon
Interim Dean