Dear Colleagues,

It has been a tumultuous couple of weeks since our last College Notes. Normally, our College newsletter is purely celebratory. It helps us stay aware of the many wonderful activities occurring daily beyond our own departments, labs, studios, offices (and these days, zooming from bedrooms, garages and closets).

This is one of those rare moments when I would like to pause and focus on the difficulties we faced this week.

First, I draw attention to the awful treatment one of our Black faculty members and her family received last weekend from SCU campus safety officers. Racial injustice threatens to make a lie out of statements and policies celebrating diversity. Increasing the number of faculty, staff and students of color on campus accomplishes little if they suffer everyday acts of hostility, intolerance and insensitivity. Our campus community members must not just understand anti-racism in training sessions, but practice it, so that it becomes a reflex like breathing. As I mentioned in the statement I sent out on Monday, we must take the immediate and concrete steps needed in order for faculty, staff and students of color to feel true belonging here at Santa Clara University. Doing so is a top College priority for AY 20-21 and beyond.

In addition to last weekend’s incident, I must acknowledge the fires raging in our region. Most of us in the Bronco community are suffering from the poor air quality; many living in the Santa Cruz Mountains had to evacuate; some have lost their homes. Others have been under evacuation warning in the eastern foothills. For those who are affected and need assistance, the University is offering a number of resources for the community, including short-term housing, emergency loans, child- and adult- care resources, and the Bronco Pantry. Please take advantage of these if you are in need.

It is important that we pull together on those days when our friends and colleagues need and deserve our support. Thank you for your generous collegiality and for the myriad ways you support our campus community every day.

In solidarity,

Daniel

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