Our Commitment Endures While Trial Ends

Dear SAIC Community,

The verdict has been announced in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged in the killing of George Floyd, and the jury has found him guilty on all counts. The former police officer’s actions reverberated throughout the nation, sparking demonstrations and outrage in every corner of our country and around the world.

As the trial has come to an end, and we await news of the sentencing, we continue to grieve for George Floyd and the many Black and Brown people whose lives have been cut short. During this difficult time, please use and share the resources below if you or someone in our community is in need of support.

• Students may contact Counseling Services for assistance in meeting your emotional, psychological, and mental health needs. Counseling Services can be reached directly at 312.499.4271 or counselingservices@saic.edu.
• Faculty and staff may contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides a network of services including confidential short-term counseling. EAP can be reached directly at 800.311.4327.
• Students, faculty, and staff on campus who don't want to travel alone are encouraged to use escort and SafeRide services.
• If you choose to participate in demonstrations, please do so in a safe and informed manner.

The awful truth is that systemic racism persists, and the killing of George Floyd is a reminder of the urgent work needed to address issues of inequity and oppression. It is up to all of us to do the hard work to create the society we want to live in; a society that is just and fair to all. At the School, this means we will not let up on our anti-racism efforts. Though there is much more work to be done, we are committed to listening, learning, and working to implement initiatives that will bring meaningful change and improve the lived experience of all of our community members. We remain hopeful that the work we take on individually and collectively will help to make our world more just.

Please continue to care for yourself and one another.

Sincerely,

Martin Berger
Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs

Delinda Collier
Interim Dean of Graduate Studies and Co-Chair of the Anti-Racism Committee

Felice Dublon
Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs

Dawn Gavin
Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Mike Nicolai
Chief Human Resources Officer

Jefferson Pinder
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Academic Affairs and Co-Chair of the Anti-Racism Committee

Shawn Michelle Smith
Interim Dean of Faculty and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Elissa Tenny
President