A Statement from Associate Provost C. James McKnight
| Dear GMS Community,
As we mark the first day of Black History Month, Graduate Medical Sciences and the Community Catalyst Center stand in solidarity with our students, faculty, staff and wider community following the horrific killing of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers. Mr. Nichols’ death follows a string of harrowing acts of violence that have occurred across the United States in recent weeks, including a deadly attack on a community celebrating the Lunar New Year in Monterey Park, California. Locally, a family and community in Mattapan are mourning the loss of Tyler Lawrence, a young teenager shot and killed in a senseless tragedy on Sunday morning. We recognize that these acts of violence – acts that continue to occur far too often in this country – have a significant impact on our community’s mental health and overall wellbeing. Recognizing that no words can take away the pain and trauma felt in the wake of such violence, we affirm our commitment to providing the necessary resources to support the GMS and the Boston University Medical Campus communities, today and always. Our C3 Center offers several affinity groups for students to find support among peers and mentors, including gSOC (students of color), gGLOBAL (international students), and gPLUS (LGBTQIA+ students). You can also find a list of GMS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility resources here. Student Health Services offers ongoing support groups for student communities across the Medical and Charles River campuses. Click here to learn more about these groups. Additionally, please stay tuned for information from the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Diversity & Inclusion Office for opportunities to discuss these tragedies in a safe space. Please click here for a statement from Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion Angelique C. Harris, PhD, and see below for an emailed statement from Dean Karen Antman, MD. Sincerely, C. James McKnight, PhD To: Students, Faculty and Staff Given the increasing number of racial and ethnically targeted shootings and now the death of Mr. Nichols, I want to reiterate that the medical school remains committed to our policies of inclusive excellence, diversity and a safe environment for all of our communities. I personally believe that what we do is more powerful than anything we say. I hope we will find ways to address violence in our work (research, education and care), and as individuals advocating for change in our society. Students, faculty and staff who need support may contact:
The Faculty Staff Assistance Office for BU faculty, staff and their immediate family members offers these resources. |