Publication Date

8-25-2020

Abstract

August 25, 2020

As I walked across campus yesterday, I was energized by the number of people and face coverings I encountered. However, I realize that for each individual I see on campus, there are even more students, faculty and staff engaging with our institution remotely. All of us, including those learning and working on campus, are coping with feelings of isolation and uncertainty. These feelings are magnified by what is going on around us as outcries for social justice echo across our nation, most recently in Wisconsin where protests emerged following the police shooting of Mr. Jacob Blake.


Now is the time to channel those feelings into action by discovering how you can make a difference at East Tennessee State University, our community and beyond. I encourage students to connect with the Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center and to take advantage of Welcome Week activities to learn more about organizations you can be a part of this fall.


The Multicultural Center and the Counseling Center are places where you will find caring staff members ready to listen and engage as you process difficult and dehumanizing events. The Office of Equity and Inclusion led by Dr. Keith Johnson also provides a wealth of resources, including ways faculty can facilitate discussions and upcoming “Lunch and Learn” sessions. Next month, during the Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Johnson will join me in presenting the Equity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan outlining new initiatives to deepen our commitment to students across all demographics.


Below is a list of resources available to the ETSU community. May we continue along this journey together to become agents of change by following the core values of our institution – people come first.

 

Sincerely,
Brian Noland
President

Document Type

News Article

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