Rose Pascarell, Vice President, University Life
"I’m recalling Dr. Gail Christopher’s words when she led several of us through a racial healing training earlier in the spring semester – “We must dispel the false belief in a hierarchy of human value and replace that archaic notion with a reverence and appreciation for the equal and interconnected nature of the human family.”
https://ulife.gmu.edu/in-addition-to-our-words/
Carl Rowan, chief, Mason Police
"The homicide of George Floyd must not just be another opportunity for well-intentioned speeches, empty virtue signaling or wanton violence. I hope that we, as a community, can be part of the solution to ending the type of behavior that we witnessed in Minneapolis by police officers who disgraced their profession. On that point, we can walk with you. I hope you will walk with us."
https://www.facebook.com/gmupolice
Germaine Louis, dean, College of Health and Human Services
"It is dependent on all of us to recognize and embrace diversity and to reject racism and violence. Our College remains committed to inclusive thinking and actions as we ensure health equity and promote a healthier and happier way to live moving forward. This is not a time to be silent in thought or action."
https://chhs.gmu.edu/news/586141
Alpaslan Özerdem, dean, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution
"As a School focused on peace and conflict resolution, it is our core mission—and our core duty—to bring about a more just and peaceful world, whether by educating the next generation of peacebuilders and changemakers, conducting research into the causes of conflict and its resolution, or working with communities across the world to implement ethical and equitable policies and programs that will enable the transformation of our societies."
https://scar.gmu.edu/news/586036
Dave Paulsen, men's head basketball coach
"It is not enough not to be racists. We must become actively anti-racist and adamant in our pursuit to understand our place in a society plagued by structural racism. Our silence and inaction has become passive acquiescence to a system that perpetuates racial stereotypes, profiling and inequity."
twitter.com/PaulsenDave/status/1266811997389193225
Chris Carr, chief diversity officer, Volgenau School of Engineering
"I am sending this message out now – first and foremost as a Black man. As someone who has watched the news and cried and raged inside. As someone who felt so much sadness. I want to tell you, you are not alone. I want to make particular space for the Black community within VSE – student, staff, and faculty, to say I see you. To let you know that this pain, while heavy, doesn’t have to be carried alone."
https://volgenau.gmu.edu/news/586146
Rick Davis, dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts
"As artists and educators in CVPA, we acknowledge and commit to the hard work in front of us: to create communities that are anti-racist, truly free, and fully just for all. Saying it out loud is only the first step. The real work begins now, with both reflection and action."
https://cvpa.gmu.edu/news/586121
Emily Ihara, chair, Department of Social Work
"As I read, watch, and learn about events, I am enraged, hearbroken, and sometimes feeling hopeless. But I am also inspired and hopeful by the community organizers, the activists, the social workers, and the every day people who are fighting for a better, racially just, and equitable world."
https://www2.gmu.edu/news/586101
A message from the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education
"Allies, NOW is the time to take action. NOW is the time to have those uncomfortable conversations. NOW is the time to engage in and read about anti-racism. NOW is the time to ask, what are we doing to center people and lives that are often not included and systemically vulnerable?"
https://www.facebook.com/Masonulife/posts/10163557905270297