The Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) staff express our grief, anger, sorrow, and compassion to all those who have been impacted by the racial injustices and race-related violence. We grieve the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, as well as Jason Washington, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Philandro Castile, and the many unnamed who have lost their lives in the long history of anti-Black violence in our nation.These tragedies reflect a longstanding and entrenched history of structural and systemic injustice that we condemn.
We recognize that the acts of violence against people in African-American and Black communities and other communities of color have added to the already overwhelming losses and disparities occurring within the COVID 19 pandemic. We also acknowledge that the COVID and race pandemics impact many more in our community, including the disturbing increase in hate crimes and harassment against the Pacific Islander, Asian, and Asian American communities. As we enter PRIDE month, we also remember that black transgender and queer women paved the way for this monthly celebration, and continue to remember those lost to senseless acts of violence. As a center, we recognize the impacts of all these experiences on the health and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, and our larger community.
To this end, SHAC is committed to affirming and providing care for all of our students who have been directly or vicariously impacted by trauma and discrimination. In the aftermath of experiencing or witnessing trauma, it is normal to experience a range of feelings and emotions, such as shock, fear, sadness, anger, helplessness or guilt. We encourage you to contact SHAC if you or someone you know would like support with coping and healing. You can request to meet with a therapist of color and/or a therapist who is a member of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) team. With the QRC, we co-host the PDX BIPOC and QT Therapist Guild and can supportively connect you to a community therapist. In addition to individual support, SHAC and the Cultural Resource Centers are offering a virtual Students of Color Support Group.
As a center we are committed to undoing racism and supporting those most impacted by oppression and injustice. The work of justice belongs to us all, particularly those of us who benefit from white privilege and race based oppression. Along with our campus partners in Diversity and Multicultural Student Services and Student Affairs, we commit to create an action plan this summer for more internal education and awareness-building, along with the implementation of practices and accountability steps that will ensure long-term change and follow-through.
On-Going Initiatives:
- Continue to support the JEDI committee which serves as advisors in the matter of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion for SHAC. JEDI does this by fostering a culture of open-mindedness, compassion, and inclusiveness among SHAC employees by actively building a community who have diverse cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences.
- Offering listening spaces for Queer and Trans Students of Color to collaboratively re-envision healthcare for students in order to meet the needs of those with the highest barriers.
- In January 2020, Counseling Services (CS) hosted 18 therapists of color from across Oregon at the inaugural Oregon University and College Counseling Center (OUCCC) Therapists of Color Round Table. We will continue to support CS staff in finding space, support, connection, and community by allocating time and resources to these endeavors.
Action Steps SHAC Commits to Moving Forward:
- Allocation in the 20-21 academic year $6,000 in funding for staff training and development focused on supporting students and staff from marginalized groups
- Require SHAC staff participating in search committees to complete GDI’s inclusive hiring workshop
- Create space and time for SHAC affinity groups for staff from underrepresented and marginalized communities
- Develop a long-term Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Justice action plan during Summer 2020
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