[Important Information for Students] Verdict in Derek Chauvin Trial and Campus Resources

[Office of the President]

Dear Campus Community,

George Floyd’s life mattered.

The taking of George Floyd’s life was tragic, enraging, and unnecessary.
The jury’s verdict serves to reinforce the greater problems that plague our
society today -- discrimination, systemic racism and state violence. George
Floyd’s life mattered. The lives of Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, Breonna
Taylor, and Eric Garner mattered. All Black lives matter. We mourn with the
victims and those traumatized by these seemingly endless string of events.

The decision just announced today from the jury at the trial of Derek
Chauvin provides some hope we are moving in the direction toward justice.
However, the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis stands among the great
immoralities of our time. Despite today’s news, emotion and frustration
tears at the fabric of our nation and our communities -- particularly our
Black and Brown students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members
among us. People remain sad, hurt and angry, and we share those feelings.

We hope some justice and legal accountability may be possible in response
to acts of racial violence. Today’s decision serves as a wakeup call for
the need to examine the relationship between police and BIPOC communities
as an essential step to build trust and end the inequities that occur each
day.


*Solidarity Space Tonight, Other Opportunities Ahead*Regardless of the
jury's decision, our collective work is not done. At this moment,
courageous individuals in our communities and around the nation are taking
stands through direct nonviolent action. Within our campus community, a
group of caring college members has prepared ways to process ongoing
racialized violence and to support our BIPOC community members and allies
through this time and beyond.

A Solidarity Space will be held tonight in Ballroom B, Angell College
Center, at 6 p.m. to support our community members who wish to process the
trial verdict. This space holds 50 people.

We will have a Zoom room available for community members who wish to join
virtually at 6. The link is https://plattsburgh.zoom.us/j/93784225632.

Details of other ways to participate will be shared soon by the Office of
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion via email. Among the opportunities:

- Spaces for artistic release
- Conversations in caucus groups
- Hybrid meeting places
- Walks
- Journaling

As individuals we cannot do everything, but we can each do something. This
is not a time to be silent. I urge you to be present, to listen, to learn
and to connect. Let everyone you meet know you support them. And be
authentic. It is a time to join together with and support our students, our
friends and our colleagues. This is a journey of change that continues.

Alexander Enyedi
President
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