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Dean's Message on COVID-19 March 19, 2020
Dear SOE Community,
A sense of community runs deep in the psyche of SOE and the university as a whole. It is what attracted many of us here, and what keeps us going. As an educator and counselor, I haveseenthe incredible power of community help our students, faculty, staff andexternalpartners. That feeling of belonging - the sense that you're an integral part of a community where you're accepted and valued - is healing. It is associated with greater well-being, cognitive function and self-satisfaction. And we need community now more than ever before.
SOEs commitment to fostering an inclusive community that supports people of all diversities is embodied in our mission and vision statements that reflect both who we are and who we want to be. Given this unprecedented time in our lives, there are many thatact and behave in contradiction toour vision for a more inclusive world community. And sadly, we are often reminded of thiscontradiction. Recently, we have heard the inappropriate, xenophobiclanguage, such as the Chinese virus being used to describe the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.As a school, wewholeheartedlyreject this languageand premiseand support the World Health Organizations call forsolidarity, not stigma.
So, Im writing to remind you that when you see or experienceany divisive, disrespectful and exclusive actions (including language), Iask you to beactive not passive. Stand with your fellow colleague, student or peer in support of our inclusive values as a school and more importantly, as an institution.
And please join us to re-affirm our commitment to a socially just, equitable,vibrant, and inclusive learning community. Help us make our commitment more than words. Together, we can turn our words into strong actions as we spreadthe powerand healingofcommunities throughout the SOE and entire 51勛圖 community.
Onward together,
Cheryl
Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, PhD
Dean and Professor
School of Education