Dear Campus Community: 

 

Over the last few months, news of vaccines and downward shifts in COVID-19 cases across California have offered hope of a return to many of the activities we enjoyed before coronavirus impacted our movements. Unfortunately, too quickly, we were reminded of our pre-pandemic challenges. Anti-Asian hate and violence. Mass shootings that left multiple people dead. Police killings of more BIPOC individuals, including children. 

 

On any given day, members of our community are negatively impacted by these events. Though we may not issue a statement following each new tragedy (as point of reference, there have been more than 50 mass shootings since the killings of Asian Americans at spas in Atlanta in mid-March), we broadly condemn each act of violence and will continue our work to fight hate through words and action. 

 

At the beginning of each academic year, we send a message to the entire campus asking everyone to revisit our Principles of Community and reflect on our commitment to a campus environment based on personal growth, equity, and mutual respect. As the country continues to reopen and we continue to combat hate, racism, and violence, I ask that you revisit these principles once again and consider how we can embody these values both at work and in the communities in which we live. 

 

Violence against Asian/Americans and Pacific Islander community

In February, following a series of attacks against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders, I made a statement condemning the violence. A report by Stop AAPI Hate counted nearly 3,800 hate crimes against the AAPI community between March 2020 and February 2021. Of course, we know that discrimination against the AAPI community is longstanding. And, like other forms of racism, we must actively address it.

 

The UC Office of the President developed a list of resources in response to Anti-Asian racism, which includes media for educating yourself or others, trainings and guidance, and mental health resources, among other topics. Additionally, staff and faculty can contact the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program for confidential counseling, referral, or other resources. We stand solidly with our AAPI community members against Asian hate.

 

Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women 

On the heels of celebrating Women’s History Month in March, I wanted to take some time to acknowledge all the work that has been done during this academic year by and for those who identify as women. This has been the inaugural year for the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women (CACSW), under the capable leadership of co-chairs Elaine Wong, Associate Professor of Management, and Annette Webb, Associate Dean for University Extension Academic Affairs. This group of faculty, staff, students, and community leaders are currently focused on addressing areas of childcare, flexible work schedules, and mentoring. All who are interested in learning more are welcome to join their upcoming brown bag session on May 21.

 

Accellion data breach

A few weeks ago, the UC Office of the President announced that the UC was one of the institutions affected by the AccelIion data breach. Data breaches have occurred so regularly in recent years that they can seem benign unless identity theft occurs. While the investigation into which UC community members have been affected is ongoing, I strongly encourage you to review the guidance on how to protect your personal and financial information. You can sign up for free credit monitoring and identity theft protection through Experian. An updated set of FAQs can be found here. 

 

Leadership office hours

This quarter we are continuing to provide a series of office hours with campus leadership. Please join us at any of the upcoming sessions to participate in or listen to conversations about campus matters.

 

4/30, 11a.m. – 12p.m.: Gerry Bomotti, Vice Chancellor for Planning, Budget, and Administration

5/7, 11a.m. – 12p.m.:  David Bergquist, Chief Campus Counsel

5/14, 11a.m. – 12p.m.: Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox

 

Sustainability

Last week, we celebrated our 51st Earth Day at UCR with a full calendar of events. At UCR, Earth Day, and more broadly, the concept of sustainability, are critically important to our campus and region. From its roots in agriculture, UCR has always been a campus engaged in understanding our relationship to the earth, how we grow together, and our interconnectedness in sustaining one another. 

 

We also sit at the intersection of immense natural resource and rapid population growth. This provides an opportunity to evaluate sustainability in relation to not only the earth, air, and water, but also other forms of sustainability—economic and educational sustainability, as two examples.

 

Thank you for doing what you can to help us work toward less waste, clean energy use, and carbon neutrality. Thank you also for giving thought to our relationship toward one another and how we create a sustainable future for all.