Dear Campus Community,
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)
Monday, January 30, 2023; 1:00-2:30 PM
~In-person: Room 9215 (“Main Dining Room”) – Building 9000 (“PUB”)
~Join via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83173429202 (253) 215-8782; Meeting ID: 831 7342 9202
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:
- Problem assessment and short-term counseling
- Referrals to providers and community resources
- Webinars
- Resources
- Critical Incident Response
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:
Please know we are here for all of our community,
Jack Kahn, President & Melanie Dixon VP of DEI
