Supporting our university community
February 17, 2023 5:43 PM

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

This semester has already seen devastation, pain and loss—mass violence, police brutality, continuing wars and sudden, catastrophic natural disasters—that have affected each one of us directly or indirectly. There have also been the personal losses that members of our community have endured and acts of dehumanization and disregard, small and large, that we may encounter during the course of a day or a week. 

We continue to see hateful and threatening messages on social media, as recently as last night, directed at members of our community and even posing as members of our community. We must respond to such attempts to perpetuate hate and violence by standing together against anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, Islamophobia, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and other forms of intolerance.

It is important for us to take a moment to remember the full and brilliant complement of people who comprise the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. We are here together to question deeply and learn fearlessly, striving to improve lives, address harms and heal damage and pain with our research, innovations and creative pursuits. We derive strength from our diversity of experiences and perspectives, and we celebrate people of all backgrounds and identities, and share in the belief of the importance to ensure the safety, wellbeing and success of each member of our campus community.

Though it may not be possible to acknowledge all the loss that may affect members of our campus community when it occurs, we work to reach out to those who might be most affected and provide needed support. You are not alone and have resources available to you—for students through the Counseling Center, McKinley Health Services, the Student Assistance Center or International Student and Scholar Services. Faculty and staff can reach out to Faculty/Staff Assistance Services. Information about additional campus and community resources is available at wellness.illinois.edu.

I wish you all a productive and fulfilling semester.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Jones
Chancellor