Statement on Recent Acts of Anti-Asian Violence and Hate — March 19
Again this week we open our news feeds to unconscionable reports of racism. In Maine, an Asian mother and her children were harassed on the street, an incident that is being investigated as a hate crime. In the Atlanta area, six of the eight victims in a shooting rampage were women of Asian descent. These acts are among nearly 4,000 hate incidents directed against Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. in the past year.
These events bring into sharp focus the anti-Asian bias that has grown in this country, particularly during the pandemic. Such intolerance and hatred have no place in our communities, on our campuses and in our society. No one should live in fear because of who they are. Collectively, we must raise our voices and demonstrate by our thoughts and actions that we as members of university communities, and as a state and as a nation, are united against bigotry and racism.
Today, we condemn these most recent incidents of racism and violence, and yearn for the day when such declarations are unnecessary. The University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias stand in solidarity with members of our Asian community — students, faculty, staff and constituents.
UMaine students, faculty or staff in need of support can contact the Counseling Center, 207.581.1392, the university’s Employee Assistance Program, 877.622.4327, or the Dean of Students Office, 207.581.1406. The Multicultural Student Center, Rainbow Resource Center, and the Intersectional Feminist Resource Center are located in the Memorial Union and can be reached at 207.581.1437.
Reports of hate, bias and discrimination can be reported to our Bias Response Team at umaine.edu/biasreporting/bias-response-team.
Know that our universities are committed to providing support, caring and safety for all.
Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Vice Chancellor and President
John Volin, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Robert Dana, Vice President for Student Life and Inclusive Excellence, and Dean of Students
Chris Lindstrom, Vice President for Human Resources
Jeffery Mills, President and CEO of the University of Maine Foundation
Daniel Qualls, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Head of Campus
Ken Ralph, Director of Athletics
Christopher Richards, Vice President for Enrollment Management
Kody Varahramyan, Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School
Jake Ward, Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development
Joanne Yestramski, Interim Vice President and Chief Business Officer