Reflecting on kindness and compassion

亲爱的走鹃,

星期一是世界善良日, an international observance that encourages people to bridge differences and focus on the common threads that bind us. It’s an opportune moment to pause and reflect on something that is all too often overlooked: our shared humanity and our innate capacity for kindness and compassion.

It’s no secret that we are living in extremely polarized times, both at home and abroad. 欧洲的冲突, 中东, Africa and beyond and the political and cultural turmoil here in the U.S. are just a few troubling examples, and many of us understandably have strong feelings about what is happening.

That’s why the reminder to practice kindness and tolerance with one another is particularly relevant.

这里是丹佛州立大学, our role is to educate and provide forums for learning by engaging in thoughtful, 有礼貌的话语. Implicit in that mission is a deep-rooted commitment to freedom of expression and the understanding that we can disagree without being disagreeable.  This requires treating one another with civility and respect so we can open our minds and truly take into consideration differing viewpoints.

I know that emotions are especially raw right now;  and when passions run high, 忽视别人是很容易的, or make them into objects of contempt. So let me be clear: while we support the free expression of opinions, 歧视, bullying and threats of violence cannot be tolerated.

For faculty and staff members engaging with students on sensitive topics, it’s incumbent upon us to demonstrate through classroom discourse that for real dialogue to occur, we need to listen before we speak. Talking past- or at – each other never yields true understanding.  We should seek to understand and to persuade, not to intimidate.

I hope you will take some time this week to contemplate how we can practice speaking our minds with respect for others and with kindness, 不是仇恨, 在皇冠官网网站心中. Our capacity to do so is what sustains my hope for a better future.

真诚地,

珍妮·戴维森博士.D.
总统

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皇冠官网网站的合作伙伴 Auraria Higher Education Center are working diligently to safeguard the security of our community, and 密歇根州立大学丹佛 offers ongoing resources and support.

校园资源:

• 联系 密歇根州立大学丹佛’s 平等机会办公室 to report and secure support following any instances of 歧视 or otherwise concerning behavior.
• 密歇根州立大学丹佛 offers mental-health resources for those in need. Students can receive free and confidential mental-health assistance from the 咨询中心 (303-615-9988), and group-based sessions may be available. 的 奥瑞瑞亚的健康中心 has resources for students in need (303-615-9999; after hours, 303-615-9911), and the 学生关怀中心 (303-615-0006) is also available to help.
• Faculty and staff members can access services and support through the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program. Call 303-866-4314 or complete the online form to make an appointment.
• Teaching and learning resources are also available to faculty members, including 密歇根州立大学丹佛’s Dialogues Program for assistance with facilitation and Restorative Justice Coalition 事件 & 研讨会. Additionally, information on educational workshops on conflict resolution can be found on the Student Conflict Resolution Services website.
• 的 Auraria 校园警察 Department also offers a co-responder service to assist students, faculty members and staff members in connecting with behavioral-health resources and can be reached at 303-556-5000.