Dear Campus Community,
This evening, we are all thinking about and processing the trial verdict that was handed down in Kenosha, Wisconsin today. We write to offer our understanding, support, and resources to the members of our community who have been deeply impacted.
Today the jury found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty in the fatal shooting of two unarmed men and wounding a third, at a demonstration against police brutality against a Black man. john a. powell, director of the Othering & Belonging Institute, provides an important perspective on the verdict in this blog post.
The verdict was delivered as prosecutors in Georgia rested their case yesterday in the trial of three white men charged in chasing down and murdering 23-year-old Ahmaud Arbery as he was out on a run.
As we await the verdict in the Ahmaud Arbery trial, many of our community members, along with many more across the nation and the world, continue to grapple with racially motivated violence and hate as evidenced by the killing of George Floyd, violence against historically underrepresented and marginalized community members, the inequities in our healthcare system, and the enduring legacy of structural racism.
We acknowledge the grief, anger, sadness, helplessness, and outrage that these killings and ongoing racism create in our community. For students who would like support, please contact UC Berkeley Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Counselors are available for phone and video counseling appointments. There are also new online self-help tools. Visit the CAPS website, call Counseling and Psychological Services at (510) 642-9494, or, when the Tang Center is closed, call the after-hours counseling line (855) 817-5667. CAPS employs mental health professionals trained to provide support to individuals from a wide array of identities, including traditionally marginalized or disenfranchised groups.
In addition, Be Well at Work – Employee Assistance provides free confidential counseling and referrals for our faculty, staff, visiting scholars, and postdocs. To schedule an appointment with an Employee Assistance counselor, please contact (510) 643-7754 or email employeeassistance@berkeley.edu.
There are also additional resources where you will find support and community:
- Student Organizations: Our campus has numerous and diverse student organizations that students may wish to get involved in. You can explore at callink.berkeley.edu
- Centers for Educational Justice & Community Engagement: These centers provide space, programs, and services for Berkeley’s diverse student communities. Learn more at cejce.berkeley.edu.
- Staff Organizations: These organizations keep staff members informed of important issues and provide a network of support. Find an organization through their website.
- Reporting: For information and support on reporting hate crimes or hate-motivated acts, visit stophate.berkeley.edu
At UC Berkeley we are working to transform our campus into a place where everyone can thrive. You can learn more about some of the initiatives, programs, research, and organizations that are creating change on the Division of Equity & Inclusion website. We encourage you to join us in this partnership.
With you,
Dania Matos (she, her, ella)
Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion
Lisa García Bedolla (she, her, ella)
Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate Division
Oliver M. O’Reilly (he, him, his) Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Stephen C. Sutton (he/his/him)
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
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