Dear Members of the Campus Community,
Sadly, over this past weekend, news from Israel and Gaza reminded us that the global community remains unsettled in so many ways. From vicious and unconscionable acts of deadly force to political and social unrest and increasingly environmental and natural disasters. The loss of life and suffering endured by so many in this most recent assault is deeply felt within the New Paltz community.
Many of us struggle to comprehend these acts of violence and oppression and the complexities even as such acts are debated and contested, and differences in opinion or perspective emerge. As a university, exploring the range of human experiences and ideas is one of the most fundamental contributions we can make to deepening our human connection. It is in these moments, most of all, where we must hold strongly to our mission in words and in actions. In this space, we must nurture and model civility, respect human dignity, and invite reflection even when disagreements exist. We must demonstrate how inquiry and the exchange of ideas help us all develop the empathy necessary for healing and the capacities needed to thrive among the most important and difficult issues of our time.
The Psychological Counseling Center is available for students who may be impacted and can be reached at 845-257-2920. We also encourage our students to reach out to spiritual leaders and counsel available on campus. Employees who may need support are encouraged to reach out to The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Coordinator at segalla@newpaltz.edu.
Many members of our campus community and alumni family may have connections to the region and are worried about friends, family, and colleagues in the region. Let us offer comfort and hope to one another in this time of uncertainty and pain.
Darrell P. Wheeler
President
Tanhena Pacheco Dunn
Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
