Chancellor Randy Woodson and Vice Chancellor Mike Mullen issued statements to the university this week regarding the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile and five police officers in Dallas.
Mullen’s statement was released on July 8 and addressed the sadness he felt upon hearing about the shootings. He explained how he was “heartbroken” and “maddened” that unlawful shootings by police “disproportionately [affect] young black men in our society.”
Four days later, Woodson released a similar message addressing the redundant and “unhappy necessity of reaching out to the NC State community in response to local, national and international violence.”
“In the aftermath, we’ve witnessed both peaceful and violent demonstrations,” Woodson said. “This year’s presidential election is also raising additional uncertainty. While we cannot ultimately control what happens nationally, we can all work hard on campus to ensure NC State always remains an open, safe and respectful environment.”
Both Mullen and Woodson described what paths students and staff could take by listing the contact information for the Counseling Center and other ways people can seek help through the university.
“We, as a campus community, are here to serve and support our students, staff and faculty during these times,” Mullen said. “Please know that our resources are available should they be needed.”
Woodson described the importance of inclusion and reminded students of the services available on campus.
“At this time and always, it is important to reiterate the critical importance of diversity and inclusion at NC State, and the expectation that all in our community will be treated civilly and respectfully,” Woodson wrote. “It is also important to remind members of our community about the counseling and support services available to any and everyone who is hurting or in need of support.”
Woodson continued by referencing the Rudyard Kipling quote: “For the strength of the pack is the wolf. And the strength of the wolf is the pack.”
Mullen ended his message by stating, “We must not allow these incidents to become commonplace or accepted.”
Following this, Mullen challenged the NC State community to continue bringing “awareness and change to the issues in front of us … that will one day perhaps help us to avoid these senseless acts of violence that occur far too often.”
Woodson also described how the NC State community has made progress with problems in the past and explains how students and staff can bring about more positive change.
“It’s on each of us to ensure everyone at NC State feels valued and is treated with dignity and respect,” Woodson said. “Working together, we can continue to make a difference on our campus, and that difference will echo into the world around us.”
