Dear UMPI Community,
Yesterday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a gunman killed 11 worshippers within the Tree of Life synagogue while espousing virulent rhetoric toward those individuals. We have, sadly, become all too accustomed to such horrific acts, committed in our schools and universities, our places of worship, and venues of entertainment, in which violence is exercised against groups of individuals with a premeditation and hatred that should have no place in our society.
The importance of our norms of tolerance, civility, understanding, and, above all, respect toward our fellows, is, if anything, made only more urgent by such tragic events. Such beliefs must be maintained in the face of all acts of violence and intolerance, no matter the community or individuals whom are targeted or impacted.
We are, and will be, a stronger university in our efforts, individually and collectively, to ensure that we shall all work toward a world that unequivocally rejects, protects against, and, one day, ensures that such violence will never be experienced by anyone.
Remember always that we are here to support one another: students, faculty, staff, and community members. Student Support Services can be reached at (207) 768-9732 or mary.barbosa@maine.edu; they provide personal counseling in the CIL or online to anyone. Ralph McPherson, our campus clinical counselor can be reached at (207) 768-9791 or ralph.mcpherson@maine.edu and is available in the Emerson Annex. The Dean of Students, vanessa.pearson@maine.edu, is available on the second floor of Preble Hall or at (207) 786-9610. In addition, Don Gibson, our Associate Director of Residential Life, is available at donald.gibson@maine.edu or (207) 768-9560; and Violet Washburn, Coordinator of Student Engagement, is available at violet.washburn@maine.edu or (207) 768-9582. And talk to your professors, your coaches, and organizations such as the Student Government Association (m.me/umpisga). And you can contact Crisis and Counseling Centers Crisis Line (local): 1-888-568-1112 at any time.
I encourage you to get involved with the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (rachel.rice@maine.edu or 207-768-9447 or any of its members)–it is our singular mission to encourage us all to stand together and stand up for each other.
Together, we *are* the future– but it starts, as always, in the support we provide one another here and now. Please never hesitate to contact me directly as to how we can do this better.