Dear campus community,
Many of us are processing the verdict of Derek Chauvin’s murder trial as the jury found him guilty on all three counts. This outcome will impact people in Minnesota and all over the world and must be a catalyst to reexamining the larger societal issues of race relations and racial inequality in our country. When we have a segment of our community – including many of our own students, faculty, and staff – living in constant fear that what happened to George Floyd could happen to them or a loved one of any age, we know we have a deep-seated problem of systemic racism that must continue to be addressed. Acting on these issues is essential to sustaining our nation, and furthering our democratic values.
I want to personally acknowledge the increased pain, frustration, fear, sadness and other emotions many individuals in the black community have carried this past year. I want you to know that I stand in continued solidarity with you. I understand the meaning that comes with this verdict and the impact it can have on your safety, now and in the future. The university will work to continue to provide a safe and welcoming environment for you.
So, what will we do?
The actions of Chauvin that brought us to this historical moment were those of an individual who operated outside of the accepted norms for police officers. And still, incidents around the country between police officers and members of the black community are a symptom of a broader systemic flaw in officer training. We stand at a pivotal moment where this verdict can serve as the catalyst for change in the way we prepare and train police officers for their roles in our communities. Ending killings such as George Floyd’s and better equipping officers for the unexpected encounters that come with the profession can only lead to their effectiveness as protectors in our communities, rather than as offenders. At the national level, H.R. 1280 - George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 was introduced this spring and is moving through the legislative process. At its core, it addresses policing practices and accountability for misconduct, with the potential for reform at national, state and local levels. We will continue to follow its progress.
Our St. Cloud State Criminal Justice program is already incorporating the kind of reform that the Minnesota State system has called for in its law enforcement programs to better address racism and the need for cultural competency. The actions of officers who perpetuate violence undermine the role that police can and should be playing in our communities, as peace keepers who provide safety and assistance. We will support our campus colleagues with this curricular work.
We will continue to have programs and organizations that support our students of color and, in partnership with the entire campus community, foster a welcoming environment. We are committed to helping all our students succeed as engaged members of a diverse and multicultural world and accomplishing this by infusing our anti-racism education in all aspects of campus academics and life. While we have been offering anti-racism education through the CARE initiative since 2004, the team has expanded its offerings and resources on campus and in the community to encourage us all to be open and willing to have honest conversations about these vitally important social issues that are long past due. We will strive to capture the impact these opportunities have on our students.
We will use Equity 2030 and our It’s Time prioritization of DEI to examine our own policies and procedures that perpetuated and justified racial inequities and equity gaps. These are action steps we must make, and I urge us to continue to be diligent and continue the work both at St. Cloud State and in our communities to achieve a more equitable society. These changes take time, but we are laser focused on what they can do for the betterment of our campus.
What can we do?
We can continue to provide opportunities to listen to each other, seeking more understanding and more solutions. We can strengthen our resolve to make ours a campus that truly advances diversity, equity and inclusion in everything we do and identify and change discriminatory policies and practices on our campus. We are at a juncture in our history that tells us that we do not have a choice.
It’s been a long, hard year in so many ways. And the work ahead to advance social justice must be done by all of us. We will all experience fatigue but if we are each doing the work, we can also all take time to rest at different times. But I urge you, if you are not resting, please lean in and press forward.
With warm regards,
Robbyn R. Wacker
President
St. Cloud State University