In Solidarity with our Communities Here and Abroad

Dear campus community,

As we enter the last weeks of the semester, I want to take the time to raise awareness about troubling incidents that are affecting members of our campus community, local community and global community. 

First, today is #MMIW Awareness Day, a day to raise awareness about the continuing tragedy and loss of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people through acts of racial violence and misogyny in the U.S. and Canada. A majority of these murders are committed by non-Native peoples on Indigenous land. As a campus it is important for us to know that our awareness extends to conditions of settler colonialism that our Indigenous colleagues and students experience in their everyday lives. We stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities. I want to commend the work of one of our faculty, Dr. Soma de Bourbon and her students in previous years for their moving and impactful annual campus installment of the Red Dress Project that many of you may remember from recent years. For more information, events, and resources on MWIW, you can visit

I also want to offer belated condolences to our Jewish community for the loss of life of Jewish Israelis five days ago, when 45 people were killed and 100 more injured during a stampede while attending a religious festival in Israel. Some of the victims were children. We know that this loss of life impacts members of the Jewish community as well as  anyone who can only imagine this horrific loss of life at a time when people were gathered to worship and celebrate. 

Lastly, I want to recognize the great concern, fear, and anger at the killing of over 30 people in different cities and towns of Colombia by militarized police who have been firing into crowds of peaceful tax reform protesters over the last 7 days. We know that there is great fear as observers report inaccurate information about the extent of civilian casualties, serious injuries, sexual assaults, and the extent of individuals detained. This uncertainty, public violence, and the militarization of the country weighs heavily on those members of our campus community who are Colombians and have friends and family in Colombia as protesters turn to protesting this police violence, economic inequality, and human rights violations spread wide across other regions in the country. 

It is often difficult to publicly acknowledge the tragedies, travesties, and issues that impact our campus communities. I know that there is a sense of outrage fatigue, a sense of yet another horrible incident. For some, these incidents bring but a brief notice, maybe even sadness, but for some the pain, grief, and suffering stretches over days, months, years, and generations. It is important to know that in this global and local community of San José State University that many of the world’s troubles impact various members of our campus community at different times. And while some may read this message as just another message in the long line of messages on mass shootings, violence, death from COVID-19, each message helps us make visible and give voice to the stresses and grief of different communities so that we may exercise grace, provide support, and even give ourselves grace as we try to show up and do our work whether we are students, staff, faculty or administrators. 

As you finish out the final weeks of your semester please know that the sentiments of the staff at the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion reflected above are shared by our campus leadership. Please reach out if you see someone from our community who may be in need of support during these difficult times as we continue many of our interactions remotely. 

As always, SJSU has resources available for our students and for our employees should members of the Spartan community experience emotional distress or trauma. Detailed information on our resources is listed below.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Wong(Lau)

Chief Diversity Officer

____________________________________

For students: 

If you have a mental health emergency and need immediate assistance please contact Counseling and Psychological Services.  There is always a staff member available to assist you. Please call 408-924-5910 or visit us at sjsu.edu/wellness.  All of our services are being offered online through confidential video or phone sessions.  

For after-hours emergencies, please call 911. If you live on campus, please call campus police at 408-924-2222. You may also call our main number 408-924-5910 after hours and press 4 to connect with the after-hours crisis service.

Santa Clara County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7. In addition, you may send a text for help: Text HOME to 741741. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365. 

International students who need assistance regarding restrictions on travel and other issues can find resources from SJSU’s International Students and Scholars Services.

For employees:

Counseling for Faculty and Staff

Visit LifeMatters®  online for more information. Password: SPARTANS

To speak to someone from LifeMatters® confidentially, call 800-367-7474.

Santa Clara County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7.

In addition, you may send a text for help: Text HOME to 741741. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365.

Anti-Asian Hate and Atlanta Mass Murders

Dear campus community,

Late Tuesday night, the nation has learned about the horrific details of the killings in Atlanta of eight individuals, six of whom are Asian American women at the hands of a young white male gunman. These victims were targeted at three Asian owned small businesses. We are writing to condemn these murderous acts and to stand in solidarity with the victim’s families, their friends, and our greater APIDA community who feel the frightening and chilling impact of these brutal killings. 

Regardless of the ongoing investigation, we are writing because of the impact these murders are having on Asian Pacific Islander Desi American communities across the country including those who are part of our Spartan community. 

These killings come on the heels of years of rising hate motivated attacks against APIDA individuals throughout the U.S. and especially here in the Bay Area. These attacks have escalated exponentially in the last six months with many of the comments insinuating that people of Asian descent are to be blamed for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The most important thing to understand is that hate incidents and racist incidents have wide reaching impacts no matter how geographically near or far in location. They have the potential to negatively and seriously impact individuals and communities in their homes, workplaces, and  everyday lives out in the world. 

As an educational institution we want to frame these incidents in a context to understand their impact, particularly at a time when our campus is actively working to address systemic racism and particularly anti-Black racism. Here is an introduction to the historical perspectives and context to understand the current anti-APIDA hate attacks:

  • They are a part of a long history of systemic anti-Asian hate in the U.S., particularly in California and the U.S. West since the arrival of APIDA communities in the 1800s.
  • Our relations and conflict with Asian countries has been repeatedly weaponized to perpetuate anti-APIDA hate.
  • APIDA communities are viewed  as “forever foreign in the United States, rather than contributing members of our society; regardless of citizenship or immigration status.” 
  • APIDA women have been targeted over twice the rate of others in racist attacks often hyper-sexualized by stereotypes.
  • Anti-APIDA hate must be understood within the larger context and dynamics of historical White Supremacy. 
  • Words matter, language matters, climate matters.

Unfortunately, as we have seen over the years, these hate motivated attacks are increasing toward many communities. As a community we must be vigilant and continue to come together; not just as these incidents are happening to each community, but to reach out to each other in our everyday work, education, and lives. We need to further our worldviews and understand how we can be active allies to each other so we can support our diverse and intersectional community. 

For more information on anti-APIDA hate incidents go to Stop AAPI Hate

Processing Space-Monday March 22nd

In order to support our APIDA campus community, we invite members of our APIDA community of staff, faculty, and students to a processing space scheduled on Monday, March 22 at 7:00 to 8:30 pm. This space is being collaboratively supported by our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Counseling and Psychological Services; Mosaic Cross Cultural Center; Asian Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association; and the APID/A Task Force. We welcome our community members to join in this group space to share their thoughts, express their feelings, and come together in community. Please register for this space by clicking the button below.

Please note that this processing place is not designed to address those who may be having an urgent mental health crisis.

For Students:

If you have an emergency and need immediate assistance during our hours of operation, there is always a staff member available to assist you either on the phone or in person. Please call 408-924-5910 or visit us in the Student Wellness Center, Room 300B.

For after-hours emergencies, please call 911. If you live on campus, please call campus police at 408-924-2222. You may also call our main number 408-924-5910 after hours and press 4 to connect with the after-hours crisis service.

The County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7.

In addition, you may send a text for help: Text ANSWER to 839863. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365. They will help get you through it. 

For Employees:

Counseling for Faculty and Staff

Visit LifeMatters® online for more information. Password: SPARTANS

To speak to someone from LifeMatters® confidentially, call 800-367-7474.

The County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7.

In addition, you may send a text for help: Text ANSWER to 839863. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365. They will help get you through it.

Stop AAPI Hate

Dear campus community,

Late Tuesday night, the nation has learned about the horrific details of the killings in Atlanta of eight individuals, six of whom are Asian American women at the hands of a young white male gunman. These victims were targeted at three Asian owned small businesses. We are writing to condemn these murderous acts and to stand in solidarity with the victim’s families, their friends, and our greater APIDA community who feel the frightening and chilling impact of these brutal killings. 

Regardless of the ongoing investigation, we are writing because of the impact these murders are having on Asian Pacific Islander Desi American communities across the country including those who are part of our Spartan community. 

These killings come on the heels of years of rising hate motivated attacks against APIDA individuals throughout the U.S. and especially here in the Bay Area. These attacks have escalated exponentially in the last six months with many of the comments insinuating that people of Asian descent are to be blamed for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The most important thing to understand is that hate incidents and racist incidents have wide reaching impacts no matter how geographically near or far in location. They have the potential to negatively and seriously impact individuals and communities in their homes, workplaces, and  everyday lives out in the world. 

As an educational institution we want to frame these incidents in a context to understand their impact, particularly at a time when our campus is actively working to address systemic racism and particularly anti-Black racism. Here is an introduction to the historical perspectives and context to understand the current anti-APIDA hate attacks:

  • They are a part of a long history of systemic anti-Asian hate in the U.S., particularly in California and the U.S. West since the arrival of APIDA communities in the 1800s.
  • Our relations and conflict with Asian countries has been repeatedly weaponized to perpetuate anti-APIDA hate.
  • APIDA communities are viewed  as “forever foreign in the United States, rather than contributing members of our society; regardless of citizenship or immigration status.” 
  • APIDA women have been targeted over twice the rate of others in racist attacks often hyper-sexualized by stereotypes.
  • Anti-APIDA hate must be understood within the larger context and dynamics of historical White Supremacy. 
  • Words matter, language matters, climate matters.

Unfortunately, as we have seen over the years, these hate motivated attacks are increasing toward many communities. As a community we must be vigilant and continue to come together; not just as these incidents are happening to each community, but to reach out to each other in our everyday work, education, and lives. We need to further our worldviews and understand how we can be active allies to each other so we can support our diverse and intersectional community. 

For more information on anti-APIDA hate incidents go to Stop AAPI Hate

Processing Space-Monday March 22nd

In order to support our APIDA campus community, we invite members of our APIDA community of staff, faculty, and students to a processing space scheduled on Monday, March 22 at 7:00 to 8:30 pm. This space is being collaboratively supported by our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Counseling and Psychological Services; Mosaic Cross Cultural Center; Asian Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association; and the APID/A Task Force. We welcome our community members to join in this group space to share their thoughts, express their feelings, and come together in community. Please register for this space by clicking the button below.

Please note that this processing place is not designed to address those who may be having an urgent mental health crisis.

For Students:

If you have an emergency and need immediate assistance during our hours of operation, there is always a staff member available to assist you either on the phone or in person. Please call 408-924-5910 or visit us in the Student Wellness Center, Room 300B.

For after-hours emergencies, please call 911. If you live on campus, please call campus police at 408-924-2222. You may also call our main number 408-924-5910 after hours and press 4 to connect with the after-hours crisis service.

The County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7.

In addition, you may send a text for help: Text ANSWER to 839863. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365. They will help get you through it. 

For Employees:

Counseling for Faculty and Staff

Visit LifeMatters® online for more information. Password: SPARTANS

To speak to someone from LifeMatters® confidentially, call 800-367-7474.

The County Suicide & Crisis Line is also available at 855-278-4204 (Toll-free) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This service is also available 24/7.

In addition, you may send a text for help: Text ANSWER to 839863. The Crisis Call Center will respond 24/7/365. They will help get you through it.

Asian Lunar New Year

Dear campus community,

As many of our Spartan community celebrate the Asian Lunar New Year and the Year of the Ox, I am writing to express my wishes that you and your family have time to safely gather, connect, and reflect. The days-long celebration of the Asian Lunar New Year is a time of renewal and connection with family and friends that many look forward to all year. It is a time when great hope is expressed for the new year even as we reflect on the challenges we have had with loss and our lives disrupted by the pandemic in so many different ways. 

In the midst of this time of rituals of renewal and looking forward, I want to express my and our campus leadership’s support for solidarity with our diverse Asian Pacific American and Desi American (APIDA) communities. At the same time, I must express my concern and alarm at the recent sharp rise in incidents of violence, hate, and targeting of Asian Americans in this country. In the Bay Area, in particular, where many of our campus community and their families live and visit, we have witnessed  a deadly attack in San Francisco of an elderly Thai American man and another attack of an elderly Asian American woman who was robbed and assaulted in San José. There have been still more violent attacks in Oakland’s Chinatown in recent weeks. 

These attacks come on the heels of a year where there has been a sharp steep resurgence in anti-Asian hate incidents reported in the United States, attacks attributed to the rise in xenophobia and racist blame for the pandemic against those of Asian descent fueled by public racist rhetoric. It is reassuring to know that the Biden Administration signed an Executive Order on January 26, 2021 decrying and addressing systemic change on xenophobia, hate incidents and racism against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. But, this work must continue on both a local and national level.

At San José State University, we also decry systemic xenophobia and racism against our APIDA communities. We know that these incidents affect our campus climate and sense of belonging. Creating an environment that celebrates the richness of our racially and ethnically diverse community is one of our most important priorities. Our overall work on systemic racism reflects our core values of equity and inclusion and the mission of our university to support our students, staff, and faculty so that everyone can thrive and grow. And, although this work is made harder by our need to work and learn remotely, it is work that we will continue to do. 

Please join me in taking a moment to reflect on the Asian Lunar New Year as a time of renewal in family and community. May all of our Spartan friends and families connect and hold each other in community at San Jose State University.  

Sincerely,

Kathy Wong(Lau)

Chief Diversity Officer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are a student and would like to connect with the APIDA Task Force on campus please email MOSAIC@sjsu.edu. For information on future APIDA events follow them on Instagram @sjsuapida.

If you would like to connect to the Asian Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association or APIFSA please email them at sjsuapifsa@gmail.com.

If you are the target or witness xenophobic or racist exclusion on campus, in the classroom or with university related activities, there are resources on our campus to report these incidents. If you experience or witness an immediate physical threat or danger, you should contact our University Police immediately by phoning (408) 924-2222, or dialing 911.

Please know that the following psychological and mental health support is available during business hours and 24/7: 

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for students

  • We have extended hours from Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm. You can call them at 408-924-5910.
  • If you need assistance after office hours, please call:
    • Call 408-924-5910 and press 4 to reach the after-hours crisis services 
    • Call the Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Service at 855-278-4204
    • Text “Hello” to 741741 to be connect to the National Text Crisis Service

Empathia Counseling through campus or Life Matters Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees

  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10am – 12pm. And on Thursday from 11am – 1pm. To schedule an appointment, please call or text Rebecca directly at 408-784-4287. You may also email Rebecca at rebeccatochoalmft@gmail.com.
  • You can access LifeMatters services by calling 1-800-367-7474. An experienced, licensed professional will personally answer your calls 24/7. The LifeMatters website offers educational information, self-serve options, and interactive tools. Visit mylifematters.com