<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-748781ca-7fff-894d-c4cc-576472b42808"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Dear Faculty colleagues,</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Deans and I have been thinking deeply about how to make sure we are doing our best classroom work in support of students as the Derek Chauvin trial has been moving forward. At the Racial Violence Solidarity Night (hosted by Dr. Cromwell and co-facilitated by Denise Simard and Michelle Bonati) this past Wednesday, among other points shared, students expressed a hope that their faculty would address racial injustices and acknowledge in their classrooms the trauma students may be experiencing right now. In my brief time here, I have already seen that our students have a great deal of respect for you, their teachers; they look to you, in challenging times, for guidance and support.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">My team has been planning an open session  for Monday, 4/19/21, 4:00-5:30 p.m., to allow faculty peers and academic leadership to plan together for our post-trial response.  Having said this, we have now heard that the Chauvin trial defense has rested its case, and there is no predicting how quickly a verdict may be announced.  We will continue to plan for Monday, and hope that we can host a meeting that will be useful to you all, but for now, we wanted to share some preparatory information in support of your classroom work.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Teri Miller, J.D. and Chief Diversity Officer of our SUNY state system of higher education, shared these words recently:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">On May 25, 2020, an encounter between a white Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, and a 46-year-old Black man named George Floyd resulted in Floyd’s tragic death. Derek Chauvin’s trial, which began on March 8, 2021, is expected to last several weeks, and profoundly impact the nation. A significant percentage of students across SUNY are activated around racial justice and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement (including, but not limited to students of color). Conversely, there is a sizable group of conservative students, many of whom are already frustrated with the results of an election they feel was “stolen,” that are also activated in support of the police, and in opposition to the BLM movement. With that in mind, the stark reality is that any verdict (emphasis mine) will likely be disruptive to day-to-day operations. Campuses must act before the verdict to ensure that students of color and their allies are being supported and that conservative students feel equally safe and welcome to voice their opinions and concerns. In the coming weeks, it is crucial that campus leaders engage students, faculty and staff broadly in discussions of race and justice, so that all members of our campus community feel respected and have an opportunity to be heard.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Teri strongly recommends that faculty members explicitly acknowledge the trial and the impact it may have on their students.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Further, she shares the following mental health information on the impact of this trial on student learning as well as resources you may wish to offer to students who seek your support:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Mental Health Resources</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">National research shows that the percentage of college students who indicated that stress had a negative impact on their studies increased roughly 50% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (from 21.9% to 30.5% of respondents). We need to prepare for the impact that this trial will inevitably have on students in already difficult circumstances by expanding awareness of the services available to them through SUNY, as well as trauma-informed services specific to this trial:</span></p><br><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">SUNY has partnered with Thriving Campus to provide every SUNY student with access to a network of more than 6,000 licensed mental health service providers.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Governor launched a statewide partnership with Headspace; a meditation and mindfulness app which provides guided meditations for a variety of situations free online for all New Yorkers.  <a href="https://www.headspace.com/ny">https://www.headspace.com/ny</a></span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Students looking to engage with a trained counselor can find support on SUNY's 24/7 Crisis Text Line. To reach out, students should simply text Got5U to 741- 741. </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">All SUNY students have access to the Middle Earth peer-to-peer assistance hotline operated by the University at Albany. Middle Earth is a secure student staffed hotline that connects students in need with peer counselors who are trained to help. Students do not need to be in crisis to use this hotline. </span></p></li></ul><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Some additional resources available to help faculty in their own thinking about this historical moment and how they can best support their students:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">NYTimes podcast detailing key facts about the Chauvin trial:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/29/podcasts/the-daily/george-floyd-derek-chauvin-trial.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/29/podcasts/the-daily/george-floyd-derek-chauvin-trial.html</a></span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Detail on the charges Derek Chauvin faces:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://kstp.com/news/explaining-the-charges-in-state-vs-derek-chauvin-trial/6039310/">https://kstp.com/news/explaining-the-charges-in-state-vs-derek-chauvin-trial/6039310/</a></span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">University of Minnesota suggestions on how to support students “before, during, and after the trial”: </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Supervisors of student employees:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> ● Acknowledge that students may feel distracted and disengaged from their work in the lead-up to, during, and after the trial </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">● Directly communicate to student employees if and how you can offer flexibility </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">● Provide opportunities for optional virtual and in-person check-ins for individuals and groups (within health and safety guidelines) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">● Consider schedule adjustments and modifications for student employment during this period as requested Classroom settings </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Some information specific to classroom settings:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">● Explicitly acknowledge (in writing or verbally) the trial and the impact it may have on students </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">● Provide more drop-in office hours for students and state if they can be used for a general check-in, not just for course-related questions </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">● Communicate directly if you are able to offer flexibility and what types of flexibility are available. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sample language you may consider adapting for communicating with students or student employees about the trial: </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">As the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, for his role in the death of George Floyd, nears its conclusion, I would like to acknowledge the potential impact this trial may have on [members of this class / student employees of _______ / you]. It is particularly important for me to name that I know the upcoming trial will have a disproportionate impact on Black students and employees. As the trial proceeds and the community responds, I want you to know that I care about how you are doing. If you need flexibility with [assignments/work schedules, etc.] please reach out so that we can work together to find a solution.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Lastly, a set of basic strategies for talking with students about traumatic events.  While it is drafted for a pre-college audience, some faculty may find the specific suggestions outlined here helpful in thinking about and preparing for classroom conversations: </span><a href="https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/safe/bprev/MDE071470" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/safe/bprev/MDE071470</span></a></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Lastly, and most importantly, please take care of yourselves.  This has been a draining year for all of us.  At the same time, the deans and I acknowledge that faculty members of color are uniquely affected by this trial’s daily coverage in the news media, Duante Wright’s death, yesterday’s release of the body camera footage of the police officer’s fatal shooting of 13 year old Adam Toledo, and so many other incidents of violence and racism across this country.  </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The weight of all of these events is heavy.  Please let us know if there are any ways that we can help support your self care and your critical work with our students in the coming days.  More information on the Monday event to follow.</span></p><br><div style="font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:18px;margin:0px"><div style="font-size:14px;line-height:18px;display:inline;margin:0px;font-weight:bold;text-transform:uppercase">ANNE HERZOG, </div><div style="font-size:14px;line-height:18px;display:inline;margin:0px;font-weight:bold">PhD</div><div style="line-height:18px;margin:0px">(She, Her, Hers)</div><div style="line-height:18px;margin:0px">Provost</div><div style="line-height:18px;margin:0px">Vice President for Academic Affairs</div><div style="line-height:18px;margin:0px">802 Kehoe</div><div style="line-height:18px;margin:0px">101 Broad Street<br>Plattsburgh, NY 12901</div><div style="line-height:18px;margin:0px">(o) 518-564-5402</div><a href="https://www.plattsburgh.edu/" title="SUNY Plattsburgh Link" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(200,16,46);background-color:transparent;line-height:18px;display:block;margin:0px;font-weight:bold"><span class="gmail-il">plattsburgh.edu</span></a><div style="line-height:18px;margin:0px"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sunyplattsburgh" title="Visit SUNY Plattsburgh on Facebook" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(200,16,46);background-color:transparent;line-height:18px;display:inline-block;margin:0px"><img src="https://www.plattsburgh.edu/_images/about/facebook-logo-60x60.png" width="30" height="30" alt="Facebook Logo" class="gmail-CToWUd" style="vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 7px 3px 0px 0px;"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sunyplattsburgh" title="Follow SUNY Plattsburgh on Twitter" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(200,16,46);background-color:transparent;line-height:18px;display:inline-block;ma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