Chancellor Fuller comments and reviews resources for the campus community
Dear UMass Dartmouth Community,
Yesterday, the Memphis Police Department released disturbing video footage of five officers brutally assaulting Tyre Nichols, who later died of his injuries. We strongly condemn and are horrified by their actions, as well as by the prevalence of violence against the BIPOC community in our society. We must daily recommit to addressing racialized violence and protecting civil and human rights, so that all members of our community can go about their daily lives without fear.
Even as we mourn with the Nichols family, we recognize that this is a difficult and emotional time for many in the UMass Dartmouth community, and particularly for our Black students, staff and faculty, who are forcibly reminded of past incidents of police brutality and other hate crimes that are all too common in America. We know that many of you may be struggling to process the contents of the video. We encourage you to connect with campus resources that might be helpful.
For our students, Counseling Services provides 24-hour access to mental health services at (508) 910-HELP (4357). Well Track online interactive resources provides online sessions focused on healing and resiliency. The professional staff in our colleges and our Academic Resource Center, Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality, Frederick Douglass Unity House, and Center for Spiritual & Religious Life can also provide support.
Staff and faculty may access our Employee Assistance Program by calling 844-393-4983 or visiting GuidanceResources online at www.guidanceresources.com and entering the University’s ID: UMASS.
As a campus community, we also commit to engaging in courageous conversations designed to address hate and violence in historically marginalized communities, teach advocacy, and promote civility. We will do this through our Student Life programming, including a series of discussions, with the first session to be held soon—look for more information next week.
Thank you for supporting one another as a caring community at this very challenging time.
Best,
Mark A. Fuller, PhD
Chancellor