Dear UMW Family,
Over the past weeks our hearts have been flooded with grief as we process the senseless loss of life from gun violence targeted toward communities of color. We send our deepest condolences to all people and communities that have been impacted by these unthinkable nationwide incidents.
We unequivocally condemn these acts of violence and hatred as they are in stark contrast to our community values. We know the trauma that these events have caused, particularly for those from BIPOC communities.
We are also saddened when violence comes to educational settings, as they appear to with striking regularity. Teaching and learning cannot happen in environments where fear, anxiety, and uncertainty occur. As a university founded as a teachers college, for over a century Mary Washington has placed teachers in K-12 schools. We stand in solidarity with educators across the commonwealth and our nation.
As you cope in the days ahead, we hope you will find solace and comfort in time spent with those closest to you. For students on or off campus, the Talley Center and James Farmer Multicultural Center are here to serve you.
The Talley Center for Counseling Services, in Lee Hall Room 106, is open until 5 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also call (540) 654-1053 to make an appointment or for support. For more information please visit the Talley Center website here: https://students.umw.edu/counseling/
The James Farmer Multicultural Center (JFMC), in the University Center Room 319, is ready and able to provide social support. The JFMC is open until 5 p.m. today and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information about the JFMC please visit https://students.umw.edu/multicultural/
For employees, grief counseling can be arranged through the Employee Assistance Program. More information about the program can be found here: https://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/employee-relations/employee-assistance-program/
For the entire campus community, please also know that Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Shavonne Shorter is here for you and can be emailed at sshorter@umw.edu.
Wishing you peace,
Troy D. Paino, President
Juliette Landphair, Vice President for Student AffairsJeffrey McClurken, Chief of Staff Paul Messplay, Vice President for Administration and Finance & CFOTimothy O’Donnell, Interim ProvostShavonne Shorter, Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion & CDO Susan Worrell, Interim Vice President for Advancement
