September 25, 2020
Dear Tulane Community,
We understand that our community is experiencing a wide range of emotions in response to the news regarding the charges connected to Breonna Taylor's death. Please know that Tulane wholeheartedly values our Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) students, faculty, and staff and we are here to support and assist you in processing whatever you are feeling in this moment. We know that our BIPOC community members are experiencing additional grief and stress as they move through their everyday academic and professional work. We also honor that Black women are especially feeling the pain of this moment.
Students who need someone to speak to are encouraged to visit CAPS for Counseling Services (located in the Science & Engineering Lab Complex). Trauma-informed counselors are available. Students can also visit Case Management and Victim Support Services (located in the LBC, G02) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday or access The Line for confidential counseling services at (504) 264-6074. Additionally, the Student Affairs Professional On-Call is available at (504) 920-9900 or students may email SRSS@tulane.edu to communicate with a Case Manager.
In addition, the Office of Multicultural Affairs will provide an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to engage in virtual Zoom sessions to provide community, share their lived experiences, and discuss ways to support each other. The virtual session will occur today at 4 p.m. For more information, please register here.
For faculty and staff who need support The Employee Assistance Program is available for all employees 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services are free of charge and completely confidential. New Directions professionals are available by telephone at 1-800-624-5544 or you can visit the website at www.ndbh.com, company code: Tulane.
In the coming days, President Fitts will launch the next steps of his Plan for Now, which will include the reinvigorated and renamed Presidential Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. You'll learn of ways to engage with us and the many initiatives underway across our institution. Our goal is to gain as much participation and as many perspectives as possible so that together we can build a more racially equitable, diverse and inclusive campus and society.
The Presidential Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Team
Shantay Bolton, VP and Deputy Chief Operating Officer
Michael Cunningham, Associate Provost for Graduate Research and Studies, Professor of Psychology
Will Ferbos, Associate VP for Institutional Affairs and Deputy Chief of Staff
Kelly Grant, Senior Associate Dean of Student Success and Strategic Initiatives, Newcomb-Tulane College
Anneliese Singh, Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Chief Diversity Officer
