Supporting Asian Americans & Pacific Islander Communities
Sent 3/19/2021
On Monday, I sent out a message to all employees reiterating our unwavering commitment at Mt. San Jacinto College to support and protect Americans of Chinese, Asian, or Pacific Islander descent or those who are or are perceived to be of Chinese, Asian, or Pacific Islander descent. This community has experienced a rise in physical violence, bullying, harassment and stereotyping since the pandemic began.
On Tuesday (March 16, 2021), an unspeakable shooting in Atlanta was reported that killed eight people, six of them of Asian descent. We fully acknowledge the impact this act of hate and violence has had on the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, our students, and faculty. Yesterday, I released a statement to students on behalf of the College focusing on our anti-discrimination efforts and policies. As a follow-up, I wanted to share that statement with all of you in hopes that you would not only join me in standing in solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, but that you would vow to go beyond words and show your support in a visible way.
This is the moment to call these events and behaviors what they are: racism. Violence and racist action against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders must stop and we at MSJC can be part of the solution.
This is the moment to consider recommitting your support of the MSJC Equity Pledge. Help us continue to create an institutional environment that vows to eradicate racism, hate and discrimination, particularly for our Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters.
This is the moment to learn more about the Asian American and Pacific Islander community by watching documentaries or reading literature about their experience and the politics of racism. We will post some examples on the MSJC Professional Development Sharepoint site next week - https://mymsjc.sharepoint.com/sites/MSJCProfessionalDevelopment
This is a moment to make a donation to the MSJC Foundation to designate financial support specifically for our MSJC Asian American and Pacific Islander students.
Through these various actions, let us show our Asian American and Pacific Islander community that we are committed to eradicating systemic racism and we -- all of us at MSJC -- are rallying to support employees and students who have experienced trauma from this event.
Please read the message below that was sent to students and was posted to social media. It includes the steps you can take to report discrimination. If you know of someone who needs additional support, please refer them to our Student Health Centers.
Message to students:
Mt. San Jacinto College is aware of the disturbing news about the rise in physical violence, bullying, harassment and stereotyping against Americans of Chinese or Asian descent or those who are or are perceived to be of Chinese or Asian descent since the pandemic began. This week's shootings in Atlanta further inflict pain and stress on that community. Authorities are not yet certain as to the motives behind the shootings, but we must stand together to support those who may experience discrimination, whether it is related to COVID-19 or in any other circumstance.
MSJC urges all employees, students, and the surrounding communities to report hostile behavior and/or language toward people of Asian descent, Chinese Americans, and Pacific Islanders as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and more issues that may surface in the news related to the shootings.
Let’s be clear: Mt. San Jacinto College does not tolerate discrimination of any kind and has a strict non-discrimination policy and procedures. MSJC is committed to becoming an anti-racist institution by dismantling systemic racism. That starts with supporting those who report or are victims of discrimination.
If we receive reports of discrimination occurring on campuses, in Zoom meetings and/or classes, or during any activity related to college district business, we will take swift and immediate action. That action may lead to the dismissal, removal or expulsion of perpetrators who are proven to have committed such offenses.
If you experience or have witnessed discrimination of any kind during your experience at MSJC, please immediately contact Jeannine Stokes, Chief Human Resources Officer, at 951-346-2058 or jstokes@msjc.edu.
Sincerely,
Roger W. Schultz, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President