It is with great sadness that we send this email. Throughout the country, people are reeling from the news and video release about Tyre Nichols. Mr. Nichols, a 29-year-old black man was hospitalized after a brutal and violent arrest by police officers three weeks ago in Memphis, TN. Mr. Nichols died three days ago as a result of injuries that occurred during the arrest. The video footage is incredibly alarming and disturbing to watch. Five officers from the African American community who were on the scene have been fired and face criminal charges for Mr. Nichols’ death. Words cannot capture the tragedy of this situation; particularly given the re-traumatization many will likely experience as these events against the BIPOC community continue to occur.
This event, coupled with the recent shootings, indicates a continued and vigilant need to reach out and support our BIPOC College community.
Shoreline’s Office of Safety & Security remains committed to the ongoing safety and support of our campus and particularly our BIPOC community, by providing an environment where all feel safe and welcome. Through ongoing training and connection with our campus, the Security Team will continue to foster an engaged partnership with colleagues, students, and campus visitors.
As part of our continued community outreach, we have initiated conversations with Safety & Security Director Greg Cranson and Shoreline Police Chief Kelly Park. Through this connection, Shoreline will be coordinating activities and events which support the safety of our diverse community with more information provided to campus as details are finalized. We will provide thorough and timely updates and information related to this initiative.
Healing Circles this Monday, January 30th, 2023:
During times of racialized violence, it is crucial that there is an opportunity for community support within that community. Tyre Nichols is from the Sacramento area of California and Dr. Debra Crumpton, President of the Los Rios Black Faculty and Staff Association, who is also from the Sacramento area sent a message to the Los Rios community that warrants sharing an excerpt.
Undoubtedly, there will be many characterizations of what the police bodycam video reveals about the actions of the five Black police officers who have been charged with numerous criminal offenses, which include second-degree murder. One of the questions that will likely emerge and be much debated is, “How could five Black policemen do this to another Black male?”
The answer is institutional racism. These officers were not simply five Black men who happened to be police officers. They were police officers who happened to be Black.
Institutional racism embeds racist narratives so deeply and insidiously that it has the power to effectively deny a person his or her individual identity, sense of humanity, and recognition of self.
Shoreline will hold a campus healing space on Monday afternoon to provide support and next steps.
All Campus (coordinated by Melanie Dixon & Aisha Hauser)
Robert Britten, President of the Diversity Equity Officers (DEO) Commission for the State reminded all CEOs in a letter yesterday that “we have all been impacted by ongoing and escalating gun violence, hate in various forms and police violence against and within communities of color. This is not to imply that all our impacts are the same, but to highlight the disparate impact on communities of color, DEOs, and practitioners in this space.”
For this reason, will also create separate spaces for folks to caucus during the week as needed to support those directly impacted by these events (African/Black/API etc.). We will be sending information about those events as they develop in the next few days.
Please know that we have additional resources available to both students and employees to counsel you through any potential emotional distress from this event.
CAMPUS RESOURCES
Employees may access services and support at any time through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455 (as provided by the Diversity Equity Officers Commission). Their service is confidential and free. We urge you to keep this number readily available in the event you or a colleague need to lean into this level of support.The EAP is available and here for you, should you or a family member want or need support. As a reminder, the EAP offers the following:
Employees are also encouraged to contact Shoreline’s CARE team should you identify a student in need of support.
“On behalf of our DEO President, Robert Britten and the Diversity Officers Commission we give our full support to our Presidents, Chancellors and our SBCTC community as we navigate the days and weeks ahead.” Robert Britten, President, Diversity Equity Officers Commission
Students may access the following services:
International students who need support are also encouraged to reach out to the International Education department.
If you are experiencing distress related to this, please reach out to the Counseling Center for support.
In addition, for emergency counseling, referral, or assistance 24-hours/day and 7-days/week, please call:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 800-273-8255
King County: Crisis Connections (Crisis Line) | 866-427-4747
Snohomish County: Volunteers of America Care Crisis Response Services (Crisis Line) | 800-584-3578
All students are invited to attend the upcoming Club & Resource Fairs on Thurs. 2/2 from 2:30-4:30pm and Weds. 2/8 from 12:00-2:00pm in the PUB Main Dining Room. Campus resources and current active clubs will be on hand to answer questions and share information with you! Don’t miss out!
Want to start budgeting smarter? Looking to establish or improve your credit? Attend the upcoming Managing Money 101 workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 4pm in the 7000 Great Room. Come learn from an expert at American Financial Solutions and find out how you can be a better manager of your personal money. Great resources and free food available for all students!
Join us to celebrate Lunar New Year at Shoreline on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, during 12:30-2:00 PM in PUB 9215 Main Dining Room. And there will be Lion Dance at 1:30 PM! This event is free and open to everyone!
The Gender Equity Center will host a discussion on Muslim feminism and the use of theology and civil disobedience to promote the civil liberties of Muslim women.
Meet & Greet for Association of Latin American Students (ALAS)!
Tuesday January 17th, 2023
Quiet Dining Room, PUB 9208
10:30am-12:30pm
Come join us to grab some pan dulce (sweet bread) and a warm beverage to meet one another and learn more about joining the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS)!
Black Student Union (BSU) Mixer
Wednesday January 18th, 2023
Quiet Dining Room, PUB 9208
12PM – 2PM
Stop by and join us for food and music, meet new people and to talk about restarting a Black Student Union organization at Shoreline!
Social Justice Art Workshop
Thursday January 19th, 2023
Quiet Dining Room, PUB 9208
11AM – 1PM
Come by and make your own poster or stamp incorporating social justice elements and once finished, display your art around campus!
Muslim Student Association (MSA) Meet & Greet- Free Food!
Thursday January 19th, 2023
Quiet Dining Room, PUB 9208
2:30pm-4:30pm
Come join us to grab some light refreshments to meet one another and learn more about joining the Muslim Student Association (MSA)!
Latin American Justice
Thursday January 19th, 2023
Gender Equity Center, PUB 9202
1:30PM-2:30PM
A discussion for victory strategies for reproductive rights in Latin America on abortion access, reproductive healthcare in Latin America, and the use of civil disobedience to fight for reproductive justice in Latin America
Feminist Liberation and Morality
Friday January 20th, 2023
Gender Equity Center, PUB 9202
10:30am-11:30am
A discussion for feminist liberation and morality which will be a discussion on Muslim feminism and the use of theology and civil disobedience to promote the civil liberties of Muslim women.
