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January 29, 2023

In Sympathy and Solidarity

Dear Baruch Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Before we begin a busy day tomorrow, and the first full week of a new semester, I want to take a moment to express my profound sympathy for the victims and their families at the senseless violence and death that has thus far ravaged the new year.

Over this weekend, we all witnessed the video of the Memphis police violently beating Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, who died three days later. Earlier in the week, two unrelated deadly shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California, deeply touched Asian American and Hispanic communities everywhere. These and other acts of violence always serve to resurrect those that have come before, such as in Buffalo, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Louisville-to name just a few.

These images, seared in our memories and enduring in the media, bring home the horrific fact that various forms of violence continue to threaten our society, and they continue to affect some groups disproportionately and results in the senseless loss of life. Sadly, as I wrote to the Baruch community as recently as December 7, 2022<https://president.baruch.cuny.edu/to-the-baruch-community/diversity-inclusion-and-belonging-central-tenets-of-the-baruch-experience/>, racial tensions endure and so do expressions of antisemitic, anti-Asian, Islamophobic, homophobic, and gender/identity-based hatred. Our nation has made strong progress, but we still have lots of work ahead to eradicate all forms of prejudice and bigotry.

As a diverse college community, Baruch is at the forefront of positive change for our communities and for society as a whole. We stand in solidarity with victims of all forms of violence and injustice-together with compassion, an open mind, and a courage to make a difference, we can change society for the better.

In addition to promoting a safe and open campus community, Baruch is also committed to supporting individual mental health and wellbeing. These are stressful and trying times and we are here to support you. For students, the Counseling Center<https://studentaffairs.baruch.cuny.edu/counseling/> is available if you need support or just need to talk. Faculty and staff can visit the Wellness Corner<https://hr.baruch.cuny.edu/wellness-corner/> in the Office of Human Resources for mental health and other support services.

Wishing you a good evening, and I look forward to seeing you on campus.

Sincerely,

S. David Wu
President, Baruch College

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