A statement from President Tim Sands
To the Virginia Tech community:
Leadership in Athletics reacted quickly and with clarity in addressing the incident last weekend. The team has reached out to schedule a meeting with the Black Organizations Council (BOC) and, to start, I have asked to meet with the BOC as well. While we discuss and debate the intent, the context, and the remorse expressed by the students involved, we would be missing an opportunity if we did not accept the reality that this incident is not an isolated one at Virginia Tech, in our communities, or in our country.
Let us use this moment to confront our own biases, cultural misperceptions, fears, and aggressions. If we aren’t sure if someone will be offended by a remark or an action, let’s ask rather than assume. If we learn that words or actions are offensive to others, let’s commit to understanding why. If we hear a friend say something that we know is offensive to others, let’s share our understanding with that friend.
We cannot practice Ut Prosim without empathy, and we cannot develop empathy without curiosity and a commitment to learning more about the lived experience of others every day.
We can start the process of embracing a larger world view by participating in formal and informal events that fill the spring calendar. Some of those events are listed below.
Thank you,
Tim Sands,
President
March 31, 2018
- Native at Virginia Tech Spring 2018 Powwow
- Noon to 6 p.m.
- GLC Lawn
- Noon to 6 p.m.
April 5, 2018
- Pride Week: Film: Milk
- 6:30 p.m.
- Haymarket Theatre, Squires Student Center
April 6, 2018
- 20th Annual Ebony Affair
- 7 p.m.
- Inn at Virginia Tech
- Tickets $25 (can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/20th-annual-ebony-affair-tickets-43326900927?aff=erelexpmlt)
April 12, 2018
- Reading of the Names - Holocaust Remembrance Day
- 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Drillfield
- Volunteers to read names can sign up here
April 13-15, 2018
April 19, 2018
- Digging in the Crates: Gender & Hip Hop
- 6:30 p.m.
- Newman Library Multipurpose Room
April 22, 2018
- 59th Annual International Street Fair
- Noon - 4 p.m.
- Squires Parking Lot on College Avenue
Support resources
- Cook Counseling Center at 540-231-6557
- Dean of Students Office at 540-231-3787
- Graduate Student Ombudsperson at 540-231-9573
- Hokie Wellness at 540-231-2233 (students) or 540-231-8878 (employees)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Anthem at 1-855-223-9277
- Aetna at 1-888-238-6232
- Kaiser Permanente at 1-866-517-7042
- Women's Center at Virginia Tech at 540-231-7806
- Cultural and Community Centers at vtccc@vt.edu or 540-231-8584
- Referrals to a campus cleric may be done through the Dean of Students Office at 540-231-3787.