Dear Campus Community,
We are outraged by the increasing anti-Asian bias and hate-motivated incidents across the United States. On Tuesday, March 16, eight people were killed in shootings that occured in Atlanta, Georgia. The eight victims included six Asian women. According to Stop AAPI Hate (stopaapihate.org), a hate tracker that several Asian Americans created in 2020, more than 2,800 incidents of discrimination and racism targeting Asian Americans were recorded between March and December 2020.
Humboldt State University leadership and the campus community stand in solidarity with the Asian, Desi, and Pacific Islander American community. We reiterate our institutional commitment to creating and nurturing a campus community where Asian, Desi, Pacific Islander American, and all students and employees feel welcomed, safe, respected, and valued.
This message is a call for individual and collective commitment and action to continue to do our part in fulfilling the promise of the University’s Strategic Plan 2021-2026, Future Forward, which seeks to create a sustainable community. We condemn the threats, intimidation, hate crimes, violence, and death that continue to be inflicted upon the Asian, Desi, and Pacific Islander American community. Xenophobia will never be tolerated.
We feel the pain of all those who have been victimized because of their Asian American identities, and stand together to act in transformative ways.
Become Involved and Take Action
The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, in partnership with the President’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, Dean of Students, and the Social Justice, Equity & Inclusion Center is providing the following opportunities and resources to engage in courageous and healing conversations and actions:
Report Hate Incidents: The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association—a group of 50,000 Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors and law students—has curated a list of resources that include everything from explaining the difference between a hate crime and a hate incident to detailing ways to report hate crimes to law enforcement. It has also launched a pro bono Hate Crimes Task Force to offer legal resources to victims. You can submit a request through an intake form. You can also report hate crimes with your local law enforcement agency. If an incident occurred on campus, you can contact University Police at (707) 826-5555.
Report Discrimination: The California State University (CSU) policy prohibits discrimination, including harassment, because of any protected status. You can find out more information on how to report these incidents on the Title IX and DHR website.
Future Resources: “Solidarity Dialogue” (which creates a space to discuss current events, share experiences, and articulate commitments to transformation) and “Walk Each Other Home” (a volunteer program to walk our neighbors home and increase safety) are being planned. More details will be shared soon.
Support Services Available
Processing and dealing with xenophobia, especially now, when we are forced to remain socially distant from one another is not an easy task. Despite circumstances from the pandemic, HSU remains committed to supporting the needs of our university community.
The Asian Desi Pacific Islander Collective/Center (ADPIC) is the student organization focused on supporting ADPI students and can be reached at adpic@humboldt.edu. They have bi-weekly meetings and host events throughout the semester to celebrate their cultural heritage, educate, and advocate for ADPI students and other BIPOC communities.
If you need help regarding safety on campus, the Dean of Students Office may be reached at (707) 826-3504 or dos@humboldt.edu or University Police Department may be reached at (707) 826-5555.
For students who are struggling, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is available virtually 24/7 for support. Students who are interested in speaking with a counselor can contact CAPS at (707) 826-3236. Staff or faculty seeking additional support may utilize the Employee Assistance Program. Students, staff, and faculty may also contact the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at (707) 826-4503.
We are grateful in advance for your engagement in and support of this important commitment to stand in solidarity with the Asian, Desi, and Pacific Islander American community. The time is now to take action against hate!
Dr. Elavie Ndura
Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Campus Diversity Officer
Dr. Eboni Ford Turnbow
Dean of Students