小蓝视频

Dear SOE Community,

A sense of community runs deep in the psyche of SOE and the university as a whole. It is what attracted many of us here, and what keeps us going. As an educator and counselor, I have聽seen聽the incredible power of community help our students, faculty, staff and聽external聽partners. That feeling of belonging - the sense that you're an integral part of a community where you're accepted and valued - is healing. It is associated with greater well-being, cognitive function and self-satisfaction. And we need community now more than ever before.

SOE鈥檚 commitment to fostering an inclusive community that supports people of all diversities is embodied in our mission and vision statements that reflect both who we are and who we want to be. Given this unprecedented time in our lives, there are many that聽act and behave in contradiction to聽our vision for a more inclusive world community. And sadly, we are often reminded of this聽contradiction. Recently, we have heard the inappropriate, xenophobic聽language, such as the 鈥淐hinese virus鈥� being used to describe the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.聽As a school, we聽wholeheartedly聽reject this language聽and premise聽and support the World Health Organization鈥檚 call for聽鈥渟olidarity, not stigma.鈥�

So, I鈥檓 writing to remind you that when you see or experience聽any divisive, disrespectful and exclusive actions (including language), I聽ask you to be聽active not passive. Stand with your fellow colleague, student or peer in support of our inclusive values as a school and more importantly, as an institution.

And please join us to re-affirm our commitment to a socially just, equitable,聽vibrant, and inclusive learning community. Help us make our commitment more than words. Together, we can turn our words into strong actions as we spread聽the power聽and healing聽of聽communities throughout the SOE and entire 小蓝视频 community.

Onward together,
Cheryl

Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, PhD
Dean and Professor
School of Education