Confronting Racism -- a Letter from Dean Kull

Dear Guarini Community:

We are reaching out to you today to express our feelings of anger, dismay, frustration, and helplessness as we witness events across our country. While the Coronavirus crisis has affected us all, it has also magnified the systemic inequalities and racial injustice that exist in our society. We must work together to address this, and we want to reiterate our dedication to ensuring the safety and health of everyone in our community.

The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Sean Reed, to name only a few, are evidence of a deep-rooted social pandemic that infects our country. No one should be scared to walk in a park, go for a run, or go shopping. Nobody should die because of the color of their skin.

And so, we write to express our commitment to partnering with you as we tackle these issues and strive for a truly equitable world. We at Dartmouth are fortunate to be part of a community that has the will and the resources to strive for the ideal. We can and must be a model for how society can be – educated and enlightened, compassionate and caring, safe and empowered.

As we look to the near future, we will be working closely with the three Guarini student Diversity Fellows appointed last year as well as student representatives in the Graduate Student Council as we work to fortify our current and planned efforts at ensuring equality and justice in the Guarini School community. We commit to engaging in open and just dialog around these issues and invite you to join us in any manner you desire.

We realize that many of you are facing uncertainty as you plan to return to campus, or those of you who are preparing to graduate and go into the world, and there are several resources that can provide immediate support during these difficult times (please see the list below). We want you to know we are here for you, no matter where you are right now, and encourage you to reach out to any one of us for support, or simply to share your thoughts. We are listening.

Please stay safe and healthy,

The Guarini School Staff

Victoria Blodgett, Assistant Dean of Postdoctoral and Alumni Affairs

Amy Gallagher, Assistant Graduate Registrar/Office Manager

Gary Hutchins, Registrar and Assistant Dean

Katelyn King, Admissions Coordinator/Program Assistant

Jon Kull, Dean

Kerry Landers, Assistant Dean of Graduate Student Affairs

Jane Seibel, Assistant Dean of Recruiting and Diversity, and Communications

Amanda Skinner, Assistant Director of Outreach and Communications

Further resources available to you on campus include: counseling services,  Dean and Chaplain of the William Jewett Tucker Center, the Student Wellness Center, and the Office of Pluralism and Leadership.  

Invitation to campus event:  Troubled Times: An Open Conversation

                                                     Thursday, June 4^th, 3:30-4:45pm EST

                                                     All Dartmouth Students, Faculty, Staff Invited

                                                    RSVP by 3:00pm 6/4/20 and you will be sent a link to join.

                                            Organized collaboratively by multiple College Departments and Centers

Resources for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) to Engage in Self-Care:

• Surviving & Resisting Hate: A Toolkit for People of Color
• Self-Care Tips for Black People Who Are Struggling with this Very Painful Week
• Self-Care for People of Color after Psychological Trauma 

Resources for Engaging in Anti-Racism Work and Practicing Solidarity:

• Dartmouth HOP Resource Guide
• Resources for White Allies Fighting Racism
• Talking about Race
• Resources for Engaging in Anti-Racism Work
• We are Living in a Racist Pandemic 
• Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They're Okay – Chances are They're Not
• Affirming Black Lives Without Inducing Trauma 

Ways to Support Current Developments in Minneapolis:

• Minnesota Freedom Fund
• Black Visions Minneapolis, MN
• Reclaim the Block