News and Announcements

Caring for one another amid the Chauvin trial

The following message was shared with the Ohio University community April 20, 2021.

Dear Bobcats, 

As we anticipate the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer accused of murdering George Floyd, our nation, and our University community, continues to grapple with the ongoing trauma and pain of systemic racism.

Like many of you, we have been closely following the trial with hope that the verdict will bring justice to Mr. Floyd and his family and affirm the voices of those who have denounced his death and the racism that led to it.

With many of us left feeling as traumatized in the retelling of this terrible tragedy through the Chauvin trial, there is little doubt that the courtroom proceedings have weighed more heavily on our Black students, colleagues, peers, friends and neighbors. 

Many of our students, faculty, and staff have voiced feelings of anxiety, sadness and frustration over a system that continues to allow this violence to happen — most recently resulting in the senseless deaths of Adam Toledo and Daunte Wright. According to a recent New York Times report, since testimony in Derek Chauvin’s trial began on March 29, more than three people a day have died at the hands of law enforcement nationwide, with Black and Latino people representing more than half of the dead. 

These deaths have been compounded by the disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color, and by the rise in hate crimes against individuals of color, including the spate of unrelenting violence escalating against Asian communities in recent weeks.

In this time of societal upheaval and heightened anxiety, we call upon our community of care to look out for one another and to hold each other accountable. It is our hope that this trial, and the activism and awareness which resulted from Mr. Floyd’s death, will bring us closer to a nation of inclusion and equality. 

Resources and Support for our Community

We know that some of you may derive great benefit from campus resources to support your psychological and emotional well-being. For this reason, we encourage all of you to seek out campus resources that can provide support and encouragement to Ohio University community members. Some of them are highlighted to the right.

Moving Forward

If you would like to join in a discussion about the trial, or if you are seeking ways to process this consequential moment, we encourage you to attend the third annual Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) on Thursday, April 22, with the theme “Pathways to Anti-Racism.”

The DLI brings together students, faculty, staff, community members, and outside experts to discover strategies to foster a sustainable anti-racist campus and community culture. This year’s keynote address, from 10 – 11 a.m., will be given by Dr. James D. Anderson. Dr. Anderson is dean of the College of Education, the Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell Professor of Education, and affiliate professor of History, African American Studies, and Law at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  Learn more about the DLI  and  register here .

In times like these, community is the strongest antidote to combat fear, isolation and loneliness. You are not alone. 

In community and solidarity, 

Gigi SecubanVice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Jenny Hall-JonesInterim Vice President for Student Affairs

Division for Diversity and Inclusion

  • Our staff members will continue to work to empower communities who are most marginalized and their allies. If you need or want to process your thoughts and emotions, the  staff members in our Division of Diversity and Inclusion  stand ready to support you. Please reach out to  diversityinclusion@ohio.edu  or any of our offices: the LGBT Center, the Multicultural Center or the Women’s Center
  • Students are also invited to learn more about  multicultural student organizations  to build community and find belonging.
  • We encourage faculty and staff to create space to acknowledge the pain that many of our students are feeling. And we encourage our faculty and staff to create space for themselves as well and learn about  employee affinity organizations  at Ohio University.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS)

  • Ohio University CPS provides mental health and adjustment services to students and also consultation to faculty, administrators and parents who support our students.
  • Psychiatry and individual counseling through face-to-face video conferencing or audio phone therapy are just some of the services available to students through CPS. 
  • Staff members in CPS also make referrals to a wide range of support services both on and off campus. Students may contact CPS at any time by calling 740-593-1616. If calling after hours, press 1 to be connected to a counselor. You can also visit their website at  www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/counseling .

Additional Counseling Resources

IMPACT Student Support Meetings

  • OHIO students are encouraged to email diversity@ohio.edu to express interest in attending an IMPACT meeting, which is a support group convened for any Ohio University student who wishes to discuss special issues that may be impacting our community of students.
  • These meetings are facilitated by Dr. Kristyn Neckles, psychologist and embedded clinician for our Division of Diversity and Inclusion, on a by-request basis.

Employee Assistance Program

  • Ohio University's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Work/Life program is offered through Impact Behavioral Healthcare Services.
  • The EAP is available to all Ohio University employees and their family members.
  • Visit  Impact Employee Assistance  (opens in a new window)and enter 'ohiouniversity' as the username under the heading Member Login to access informational materials and resources.
  • Program features include confidential 24/7 live professional assistance (1-800-227-6007) and more.

Athens Community Resources

  • The Racial Equity Coalition of Athens County is a collaborative space to advance racial equity and racial justice within the Athens community. The Coalition is composed of leaders and community members who share the same vision of creating a more tolerant and fair Athens Community. Together, the members aim to amplify the message of tolerance and fairness through collaboration and the mutual support of each other’s efforts. Visit  https://athensfoundation.org/racial-equity-coalition-of-athens  to learn more about how you can join the coalition or to view the resources and training they offer to members of our community.
  • Ohio University acknowledges how important religious and spiritual life practices are for many of our students. We also recognize the valuable contributions of the greater Athens religious and spiritual community. Visit  https://www.ohio.edu/diversity/religious-spiritual-life  and  https://www.ohio.edu/diversity/places-worship  for information and resources about religious and/or spiritual engagement in the Athens area.  

Freedom of Expression Resources

  • In this highly charged moment, we fully recognize that, depending on how events unfold in the coming days, you may feel moved to gather with others, whether in protest or just for mutual support. We offer these guidelines to help you  keep yourself and others safe  – and  COVID safe .
View Site in Mobile | Classic
Share by: