Confronting Anti-Asian and Anti-Asian American Bias

Dear Columbia Engineering Community,

I write to you today to assert our collective commitment to confronting a disturbing trend in our nation. As we are painfully aware, over the past year we have witnessed increased acts of bias crimes and deplorable rhetoric against Asians and Asian-Americans here in New York City and across the United States. We are alarmed and saddened by these actions. Most recently, an act of senseless violence in Atlanta, Georgia resulted in the killing of eight people, six of whom were women of Asian descent.

These events are deeply troubling to all of us, threatening the core values of our community and society. Our Columbia community is a diverse one, comprised of talented students, faculty and staff members from every background, from across this nation and around the world. Together we constitute a strong fabric of incredible depth and breadth of knowledge and perspective that enables Columbia to lead in the frontiers of discovery, thought, and innovation. We see this diversity as the bedrock of our campus, our culture, and our society. We all must stand against the recent acts of hate and bias as we stand in solidarity with our Asian and Asian-American students, faculty, staff, alumni, and with the wider Asian community. Today, and every day, we affirm our commitment to the incredible diversity that defines the excellence of our School and University as we work together to build a safer and more inclusive environment.

I am sharing a message from the Office of University Life sent yesterday to our students that includes links to important resources. You may find the message here.

I know many of you are feeling anxious at this time and I encourage you to seek out community and reach out for any support you may need.

Sincerely,

Mary C. Boyce
Dean of Engineering
Morris A. and Alma Schapiro Professor

Support services:
Columbia Health on Morningside
Student Health on Haven at CUIMC
Religious Life

If you, or someone you know, has experienced bias, you can report it to the University or contact your Dean of Students.