Message from the Interim Chief Diversity Officer
Dear Appalachian Community,
In recent weeks, our campus community has watched the evolving situation in Afghanistan. This international crisis — which directly touches many Mountaineers — is fostering a plethora of emotions, concerns and questions.
We have students who have lost their homeland. We have members of our community and their loved ones who are currently serving our country during the U.S. withdrawal and the evacuation of thousands of U.S. citizens, Afghan allies and refugees. We have faculty, staff and students who have served, or whose loved ones have served, in various missions over the past 20 years, and we have Mountaineers who have lost friends and family members as a result. Our thoughts are with those who have been displaced and with all of our military service members and their families who dedicate their lives to serving our country.
This week, my office — in collaboration with other campus partners — will host two Community Hour sessions for students, faculty and staff. These are opportunities for all Mountaineers to share their thoughts on this evolving crisis and join in solidarity with others who may be experiencing varying levels of trauma and emotion.
- Tuesday, Aug. 31
4:30 – 5:30 p.m., via Zoom (Register here) - Wednesday, Sept. 1
5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Broyhill Conference Room, Belk Library and Information Commons (Room 421)
In addition to our Community Hour events, resources are available to the Appalachian Community year-round:
- Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus for faculty and staff
- Asian Student Association
- Counseling for Faculty and Staff
- Counseling for Students
- Military Affairs Committee
- Muslim Student Association
- Office of International Education and Development
- Student Veteran Services (Jennifer Coffey, Program Director, Student Veteran Resource Center)
As we continue to navigate this situation, please remember that anti-Arab and anti-Muslim harrassment is not tolerated at App State and, in some cases, it may be a violation of the student code of conduct, campus handbooks and policies, and/or federal law.
I offer my sincere appreciation to the members of our Appalachian Community who are supporting one another during this difficult time. This afternoon, my office placed flowers at the App State Veterans Memorial in honor of the 13 U.S. Service Members who were killed last week, including two from North Carolina, and the Student Veteran Resource Center is collecting donations for returning service members and refugees.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact me at diversity@appstate.edu.
Jamie Parson, J.D.