Interim President White's message to the community following today's verdict

Interim President Marcia White sent the following message to students and employees today, April 20, 2021, following the announcement that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was guilty on all three counts in the death of George Floyd. Students and employees should see their email for the link to the Zoom session facilitated by the Counseling and Psychological Services Center and our chief diversity officer if they would like to attend.

Dear Students and Employees,

Although today’s guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial does not change the death of Mr. George Floyd, nor does it heal the hearts left broken with Mr. Floyd’s death, it is a pivotal decision as we work as a nation to uphold justice, long overdue and not nearly enough.

We understand the impact of this verdict will have direct consequences on our Saint Rose community. We are here to help. Support services are available for students through the Counseling and Psychological Services Center and for employees through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

The College’s Counseling Center and Chief Diversity Officer will be hosting an open space for anyone who needs to be with others in our Saint Rose community this evening, Tuesday, April 20 at 6 p.m.

Other gatherings for students and employees will be announced tomorrow morning via email.

We stand in unity against blatant brutality and defend principles of justice for all people. Please remember to be gentle on yourself as well as others through this process and take the time you need for yourself. Your mental health and well-being is vital.

In these times, we must stand strong in our values as an inclusive community. As I said in a message to the community last June, like our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, we are called to profound love of neighbor without distinction in a spirit of unity and reconciliation. It is our obligation to not only care for each other, but to defend and uphold racial justice and reject racism and violence in all forms. We will continue to strive to live out these values each and every day at Saint Rose and with our dear neighbors.

Sincerely,

Marcia