Dear Colleagues and Community Members,

We have been presented an opportunity to focus our energy on a sense of purpose.

Washing our hands, using hand sanitizer, and practicing social-distancing as much as possible are a few simple precautions we can all take to stay healthy during these trying times. For more preventative measures, I encourage you to visit the Center for Disease Control’s official guidelines website and read the UO’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) information website for daily updates.

In addition to safety measures, we must take this time to come together instead of pulling apart as a human community. The rise of anti-Chinese bigotry and anti-Asian racism has been an increasingly disturbing trend during the COVID-19 crisis. We, as concerned citizens, must not let this continue any further. During times of crises, we often revert to biases—implicit and explicit—that injure members of our community. If anything, it’s times like these that show us just how much we all need each other. Instead of feeding into the bigotry, I implore you to be kind and understanding with one another. This is an opportunity for us to show the world, and ourselves, the power of true unity—strengthened by love, authenticity, courage and empathy. It’s time to L.A.C.E. up!

That is why DEI is using this moment in time to focus our work so that we are positioned to meet the needs of a post COVID-19 campus and world. Please stay tuned for more information about this work, and how you can help us move it forward. In the meantime, DEI is following UO guidelines regarding working remotely.

We hope that you have a chance to show yourself and others some love and compassion today. Just as surely as spring follows winter, better days are coming!

All the best,

Yvette Alex-Assensoh Professor of Political Science

Vice President, Division of Equity and Inclusion