Dear members of the Lynn community,
Like all of you, I am continuing to try to process George Floyd’s brutal killing on top of a list of other senseless deaths of African Americans in this dark moment in our nation’s history.
Our communities are rightfully enraged, heartbroken and suffering over these devastating events. It is difficult to find the words that capture the grief and anguish felt around the country, and we are seeing the frustrations of so many as they publicly use their voices to demand justice.
Our Lynn University community grieves for the ways racism and hatred are affecting our country. Since our founding nearly 60 years ago, Lynn has brought together people from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. We do this purposively because we know there is remarkable strength in our differences. Differences are to be celebrated, not diminished. We recognize that we must always strive to understand one another’s backgrounds, traditions and beliefs. We are stronger as a community when we learn and grow through our diversity.
At Lynn, we remain committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment where all of our diverse voices are heard and respected. Therefore, we are taking the time to thoughtfully prepare learning opportunities, and we are calling on all of us to be agents of change. Here are a few of the measures we will be undertaking in the coming weeks and months:
- Project Civitas will host a virtual panel discussion this summer that includes faculty, students and community representatives to talk about race and law enforcement.
- Faculty are developing additional learning opportunities for the fall including: a case study dealing with racial bias in policing that will be integrated into Justice and Civic Life courses for all undergraduate students; a re-examination of the Criminal Justice major with the focus on race and the role it plays in the U.S. Criminal Justice system; and an elective course on the topic of Race in America open to all Lynn students regardless of major.
- The Center for Student Involvement will be offering programs to foster conversations on diversity and marginalization, and they will be hosting a “real talk” series that brings students together to discuss current events surrounding matters of race and social justice.
- Student Affairs staff will deliver a discussion on diversity during Welcome Weekend and throughout the First 40 days of the semester.
- All student leaders will continue to be trained on “interpersonal applications of identity” through the Certified Peer Educator course.
- We know that our students are hurting, so our counselors are also offering virtual counseling services for students who need support during this difficult time. Students may contact the Counseling Center at +1 561-237-7237.
When we come together again this fall to engage in the themes of our Dialogues core curriculum, which include Self and Society, Justice and Civic Life, and Belief and Reason, we will do so with renewed vigor and an impetus for meaningful change. We stand with our black community, and we will work together to ensure that all lives may be valued and improved, and especially those who have been marginalized for too long.
Until then, please keep yourselves and your loved ones safe and well during the pandemic, and make your voices heard. This is not a task just for this moment—it is a critically important and sustained effort.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Ross
President
Lynn University
