Posted 4:38 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Sent to all students and personnel of the UWL community
Dear members of the UWL community,
We are very shocked and deeply saddened by the horrendous massacre at the Tops supermarket in which 10 people were brutally murdered in Buffalo, New York over the weekend. Buffalo Police have described this as a racially motivated hate crime. We are sad for the families of those who tragically lost their lives, along with all of those who were injured and traumatized by this senseless violence.
If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, despair, anger or any other feelings that you would like help processing as you internalizing this, and too many other similar traumas, please know that our campus and our surrounding community have resources available:
- Counseling and Testing Center at 608.785.8073
- Student Life at studentlife@uwlax.edu
- Office of Multicultural Students Services (OMSS) at omss@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8225
- Center for Transformative Justice at transformative@uwlax.edu
- Student Health Center at 608.785.8558.
- Employee Assistance Program – for faculty and staff of the university
24-hour resources include:
- La Crosse County Mobile Crisis: 608.784. HELP (4357)
- 211 (Great Rivers 211)
- 789.9000 (University Police)
If you are close to a person who is expressing feelings of rage toward others; if you are noticing a friend or loved one withdrawing or isolating themselves; if you are aware of someone who is gravitating toward ideas of hate or violence online – or if you are experiencing any of these things yourself – please reach out for help.
Best ways to show support for the communities most directly affected by this tragedy – donate to or volunteer with local and national organizations that work to make sure historically marginalized communities are successful.
Racism, hate and violence must never have a place in our society, and we must work together to build a world in which everyone can conduct their daily lives without fear of being targeted for their identity. Our values, demonstrate our work to foster mutual understanding framed on equity, justice, community and belonging. It is incumbent on each of us to bring those values to action.
In Community,
Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion, Barbara Stewart