Message from Provost Liesl Folks March 18, 2021

Dear Wildcat Community,

In Georgia this week, eight people were killed in an abhorrent act of violence. Most of these victims were members of the Asian American Pacific Islander community and most were women. While details are forthcoming, our thoughts are with the families of all the people who were killed or injured in these attacks.   

We condemn and denounce violence of any kind. Unfortunately, we know that members of the Asian American Pacific Islander community have been impacted by increased discrimination, violence and hate. In the past year, Stop AAPI Hate received reports of more than 3,700 hate incidents against the Asian American Pacific Islander community. We also know that gender-based violence is a daily threat in this country despite laws that aim to curb its impact, such as the Violence Against Women Act.

It is particularly important that the campus community shows its commitment to every member of this community not only by condemning anti-Asian violence and gender-based violence in a statement, but by aligning our actions with our core values of compassion and inclusion. As an institution of higher education, we have a duty to research, discuss, study and educate against anti-Asian violence, xenophobia and gender-based violence to equip our campus community with the tools to address and eradicate racism and other forms of hate. We must all contribute to advancing inclusive practices and speaking out against hate, violence and discrimination in all its forms.

We remain committed to providing resources to address anti-Asian violence and xenophobia and gender-based violence on our campus. The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is available to support our Asian American Pacific Islander community and our entire campus community. Additionally, community members can report issues of bias to the Bias Education Support Team. Students and employees who experience or are aware of discriminatory conduct can contact our Office of Institutional Equity to report discrimination or harassment. Harnessing the power of diversity requires every Wildcat, every day, to remain committed to our values and stand firmly with our Asian American Pacific Islander colleagues, students and friends.

Sincerely,
Liesl Folks, Ph.D., MBA
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
The University of Arizona

Ivy Banks, M.Ed, J.D.
Associate Vice Provost, Diversity & Inclusion
The University of Arizona