Dean’s Message: SHA’s Support Towards Social Justice

Monday, June 1, 2020

Dear SHA Family,

I write to you today to address the events surrounding the horrible, unjust killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and countless others that have brought to the forefront the painful issues of systemic racism and inequality that prevail in our society today. My heart aches when I think of the pain the victims’ families must be dealing with on a daily basis. Racism is a persistent problem in our culture and immediate measures need to be taken to reverse this societal norm.  

It is important that everyone is given a voice, everyone is heard, and everyone is treated equally in our society. We are reaching out to you, our community, to take a stand and end racism by working together to love and protect each other. 

I am proud of the statement shared by SHA’s Student Government and we are working diligently to assemble a program providing space for us to air our concerns and come together in conversation at this delicate time. In the meantime, please join Boston University this Thursday, 11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M., for a session on Mental Health, Race, & COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Arun Upneja, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor, School of Hospitality Administration


Funds for the Cause

The Boston University Student Government x UMOJA: The Black Student Union, and 50+ organizations have organized a fundraiser for the Black Visions Collective, Color of Change, and Showing Up for Racial Justice. We are proud to support our SHA Student Government who are part of this fundraiser. The Dean and members of the SHA Community have donated to this cause. Please donate if you’re able to.

Donate

*Note, this donation is conducted outside of Boston University. Clicking on this link will take you outside of the Boston University Website. 


Events for the Cause

BU Diversity & Inclusion

Title: COVID-19, Mental Health, and Race
Time: Thursday, June 4, 11–12:30 p.m.
Panelists: David Henderson, MD; Carrie Landa, Ph.D.; Kristin Long, Ph.D.; Lisa L. Moore, Ph.D., LICSW
Description: BU Diversity & Inclusion is hosting a series of virtual conversations to address broader societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the help of leading experts across multiple fields, our goal is to catalyze important new dialogue about inequities, challenges, and opportunities exposed by the virus. Please join us for this online discussion. (Captioning will be available for this event)

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Greater Springfield NAACP and Pioneer Valley Project

Title: Springfield Digital Town Hall on Police and Accountability
Time: Thursday, June 4, 7–9:30 p.m.
Description: Attend this digital town hall to discuss the impact of police misconduct on community trust and what it will take for the entire Springfield community to trust the police. This event is being organized by the Greater Springfield NAACP and Pioneer Valley Project.


FRIDAY, JUNE 5

BU Diversity & Inclusion

Title: Collective Space for Community Solidarity
Time: Friday, June 5, 1–3 p.m.
Description: We welcome members of the BU community to join us in reflecting on recent events by sharing excerpts, materials, and other resources that have helped them stay centered, focused, connected, and to remain hopeful for a different, better future. Share items, practices, and/or excerpts that you find personally meaningful and how they impact, buoy, or ground you with other BU community members.

To request accommodation (e.g. ASL Interpreter, Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), assistive listening devices), please contact our office at odi@bu.edu. Please submit requests for accommodations as soon as possible.