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UCC Ferguson Statement

As the recent events in Ferguson and across the country have unfolded, you may be noticing that you and other people around you are experiencing a range of reactions.  You may have questions, concerns, reactions and responses about difficult topics such as racism, systemic discrimination, oppression, guns, policing, civil disobedience, violence, protests, riots, social justice, and more.  These reactions can look and feel many different ways.  For example, they may be emotional or physical in nature or they may be common or uncommon for you.  Additionally, your reactions may or may not be similar to the people around you.  Reactions by staff at the University Counseling Center (UCC) include sadness, outrage, a sense of disempowerment, disbelief, and many other feelings.  The UCC believes it is important to name the systemic oppression that Black men and people of color face in this country.  We are aware of the visible and invisible processes that contribute to the experiences of Black men and people of color, including, but not limited to, racism, hate crimes, violence, discrimination, and microaggressions.  As an agency, we want to engage in and support the continued dialogue about how to facilitate change on an individual and systemic level.

The UCC encourages you to seek safe people and spaces to identify and process your reactions.  The UCC mission highlights our focus of creating a safe and affirming climate for all individuals.  We recognize that the recent events affect the degree of emotional, psychological, and physical safety experienced by individuals on our campus and within the community.  We believe it is important as an agency to constantly evaluate and identify how we can and will serve as a safe support for students in their time at the University of Utah and beyond.  We want you to know that we are available as a resource for you, and we are dedicated to helping foster a climate that is safe for all students on campus and within the community.  For other possible campus and community resources available to support you, please see the information provided on our website.

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Last Updated: 5/24/21