June 3, 2020
Reflections on this moment (Message from Vice President Suite)
This message was sent to UW Student Life staff from Vice President for Student Life Denzil Suite on June 3, 2020.
Dear Student Life Colleagues,
I realize I have sent you more emails over the last few months than I have done in the years past. However, I wanted to offer some personal reflections on the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
The tragic killings of Black Americans in recent months, most recently George Floyd, and the ensuing response have profoundly shaken our society at a national level and throughout our local communities. I know they’ve shaken me deeply. This comes on top of a pandemic which has resulted in deaths coupled with xenophobic and hateful acts directed at those perceived to be of Asian descent.
In the midst of this pain, I desperately hope this moment also shakes awake a broader and deeper conversation and understanding of the challenges our country faces; a new sense of urgency; a greater sense of responsibility for being active participants in our democracy and compelling the changes that we so desperately need.
I hope this moment shakes away complacency, apathy, or obliviousness with regard to the epidemic of inequity and injustice that has long plagued communities all around the US, including in our own community.
I am also painfully distressed by the opportunistic acts of violence that dilute, distract from, and ultimately hijack the message and the meaning at the heart of this movement.
Even before the murder of George Floyd and the pain, outrage, and actions that have followed, the last few months have been marked by unprecedented personal and professional challenges for all of us. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: I have been thoroughly impressed and so grateful for the many ways in which staff across the Division have adapted and risen to the occasion in the name of supporting our students, their families, and our UW community.
I have been particularly impressed by the efforts of our Counseling Center and Hall Health Mental Health counselors, CIRCLE, Housing & Food Services, medical providers, and so many others. Additionally, our very professional UW Police Department team has been out on the front lines during the pandemic and is now facing challenging civil unrest with care and empathy. These are just a few examples of great work that you all have continued to do while wrestling with your own feelings and reactions to what’s happening in society.
What I really ask of you now is that you be good to yourself and to each other. For some, the recent high-profile murders as well as their aftermath are acutely triggering due to personal experiences or traumas that span generations. For others, the cumulative effects of grief and uncertainty from the present intersection of natural and manmade tragedies feel altogether overwhelming. For all, there is an undeniable undercurrent of stress and emotional fatigue in these times that is constant and very real.
It is also important that we remain vigilant and present for our students and our community. The Counseling Center has compiled resources for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students in response to these recent traumas. Instructors have been asked to be mindful of how we are supporting our students, including recognizing that students are affected by these events in different and sometimes profound ways. Finally, the Race and Equity Initiative’s COVID-19 Resources page hosts valuable resources and information for all students, with a focus on helping students who face challenges and barriers to belonging based on their marginalized identities.
Most importantly, you cannot be your best for the people you care about if you’re not caring for yourself. Staying connected with each other, being present for one another, and approaching others with compassion and open-mindedness is more important than ever. Please know that CareLink connects UW staff with a variety of helpful resources and services for staying well, including confidential counseling.
While the landscape looks again different today than when I last wrote, the core message is the same: now is the time for unity, self-compassion, and empathy for others. We are better when we are there for each other and help one another out. And, during the time in which I have had the privilege of working with you all, never has that been more important than right now.
With gratitude,
Denzil J. Suite
Vice President for Student Life