In light of recent events, GPSA wants to restate where we stand on racial injustice supporting all members of our graduate and professional student community, and the public, regardless of race, sexuality, gender, religion, and beyond. Our nation has seen an alarming escalation in hate crimes directed at the AAPI community. GPSA condemns violent acts and rhetoric based on racism, xenophobia, and perpetuated hate.
As an organization representing the graduate student community, we take a strong stance against racism and hatred. Our thoughts are with all individuals, families, and communities victimized by such vicious actions.
Below are resources for students to learn about these social injustices and how to get involved or take action in reporting any violent acts against any of our fellow Vandal family and community.
In Solidarity,
The University of Idaho Graduate and Professional Student Association
Resources:
Counseling Center: (208) 885-6716
Office of Equity & Diversity: (208) 885-2468
Report a case through VandalCARE: http://www.uidaho.edu/vandalcare
Stop AAPI Hate: https://stopaapihate.org/
To the UI Graduate Community:
We, the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, our Black graduate and professional students, and all those working to fight for racial justice in the United States. Activists and protestors have gathered across the country to voice their outrage against the murders of Black lives, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others. This is not a time to maintain silence while witnessing the violation of civil rights on our people. We offer our absolute support and will actively work towards dismantling systems of oppression.
GPSA stands to support racial equality, social justice, and continued access to greater education within our fellow graduate and professional students at the UI. Furthermore, without action, we are complicit in upholding an unjust system that continually devalues Black lives. Change must happen. As graduate and professional students, we urge our non-Black students to educate themselves on important issues, cite Black scholars, speak up about racism both at the UI and in society, and finds ways to uplift Black voices.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are increasingly noticing our Black communities are disproportionately affected. Thus, it becomes even more important to continue to advocate for improvements in our graduate student health care coverage. Additionally, GPSA is seeking action within our leadership. We are creating an Executive Board position, Secretary of Diversity and Inclusion, who will also chair an internal committee of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to further our efforts in making structural changes within our University and community.
GPSA values each of you as vibrant members of our community. We hope you are taking care of yourselves, increasing your awareness about how you can make positive contributions to our campus, and find ways to support one another in our collective action. Below are internal and external resources for students to learn about these social injustices and how to get involved or take action.
In Solidarity,
The University of Idaho Graduate and Professional Student Association
Internal Resources:
Counseling Center (208) 885-6716
Office of Equity & Diversity (208) 885-2468
External Resources:
44 Mental Health Resources for Black People Trying to Survive in This Country
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