This Week

A message from President Suzanne Rivera

Dear Macalester campus community: 

This week, like far too many weeks this year, will be heavy and grief-laden, particularly for Black members of our community. We appreciate the many students, faculty, and staff who are coming together to support each other. It is especially important that faculty and staff continue to show flexibility, grace, and compassion by allowing students to take the time they need, in the way they need, at this difficult time.

Over the weekend, numerous Macalester students– including activists and media– were prevented from exercising their freedoms of speech, assembly, and press at a protest in Brooklyn Center. As was reported in The Mac Weekly, two Mac students were arrested and detained. Many college personnel spent the day on Saturday working to get those students home safely, and to support the other students who were traumatized by their interactions with police and National Guard troops.  

There can be no equivocating on the rights of people to express their views freely. The college affirms social activism as an important way to advocate for change. As has been true all year, regardless of the subject of the demonstration, we support students and other members of the community who engage in protest to create a more just and peaceful world.

Today, the jury begins its deliberations in the trial of Derek Chauvin for killing George Floyd. As we all continue to process the fresh grief we feel due to the killing of Daunte Wright by Kim Potter last week, it is important that we acknowledge the intensity of the moment, thank those who are working for change, and share plans for the days ahead. 

Students, as we brace ourselves for another challenging week, please avail yourselves of the many campus resources available to you, including: staff in the Department of Multicultural Life and the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life who are available for support, and counselors in the Hamre Center who are available for drop-in counseling. 

In addition, the DML is holding a BIPOC gathering on Thursday, April 22 from 5:00-6:30pm. Students who identify as BIPOC can join with this link. The Civic Engagement Center also has assembled numerous resources on their website in response to the killing of Daunte Wright and the Chauvin trial. We also want to amplify the actions that [email protected] are organizing and encourage those who want to support to do so. Please watch the Mac Daily for information about these and other events.

There is support for Mac faculty and staff, too. The Serie Center offers resources related to equity and inclusivity in teaching and trauma-informed pedagogy. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Joan Ostrove with specific questions or for support for yourself, and look out for additional communication and programming this week. There also are affinity groups for Black, Latina/o/x, and Asian employees, which can be a helpful way of connecting. And finally, the Employee Assistance Program is available for all staff and faculty.

April 19, 2021