The following message was sent to all UCOP staff by Yvette Gullatt and Francesca Galarraga on March 11, 2021.

Dear UCOP colleagues:

The Anti-Asian sentiment that arose with the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to escalate into increased violence against our Asian communities. As hate crimes in the U.S. decrease overall, anti-Asian hate crimes have risen over 150 percent.

As UCOP continues its journey towards being a more inclusive workplace, we acknowledge that members of our community are being personally affected and there is a vast range of emotions that affect us as humans, as co-workers, and as members of the UCOP community. It is during these times when our personal and professional lives intersect. As we have been doing for the past several months in response to the coronavirus, we stand united to support one another through these difficult and complex times.

We are inviting all members of the UCOP community to join us in a conversation about the recent violence and our responsibilities to each other as members of the UC community and our nation. The goal of these conversations is to offer a safe space filled with kindness and compassion, where we can share thoughts and perspectives and listen to each other’s voices. Although our reactions and experiences may vary, we are all in this together and we want to foster an environment where we all feel respected, valued, and appreciated.

What: UCOP Community Conversations
Where: https://UCOP.zoom.us/j/95685354152
When: Friday, March 12, 2021, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (PT)
Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (PT)

We appreciate your dedication to UCOP.

—Yvette Gullatt, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Diversity and Engagement; Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
—Francesca Galarraga, Ph.D., Organizational Consultant, UCOP Culture, Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion