With the final verdicts regarding the violent and senseless murder of George Floyd, we begin to lift a weight that many carry everyday. These three guilty verdicts uphold justice and begin to hold individuals, organizations, and systems accountable for racist behaviors and racial violence.

As we continue to mourn the tragic murder of George Floyd, and far too many others, MiraCosta College will not remain silent while such violence against our fellow community members continues. We will say their names: Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, Michael Leon Hughes, Anthony Thompson, Matthew Williams.

As we work to realize our commitment to becoming a racially just campus, the work does not end with these verdicts. Violent acts such as these cannot be normalized. Our Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color communities are constantly operating in spaces not designed to reflect their humanity. We must not allow ourselves to become numb to the realities so many experience. MiraCosta College is steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that recognizes, respects and gives voice to people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, experiences, faiths, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.

We continue to question and modify procedures, processes and actions that must be considered and changed in order to truly offer an inclusive and safe environment. We have initiated a Student Conduct and Police Advisory Committee (SCPAC) to regularly review disaggregated data on our interactions and to advise on building stronger, positive relations with historically marginalized communities.

To our Black community members, we honor your presence and existence, especially during this continued time of trauma and fear. We recognize your continued pain, resilience, hope, and action to make our community better. We will continue to push ourselves and our community to come together against anti-Black violence and work toward change. We have started with ourselves.

In honor of Mr. Floyd and the many other lives taken because of systemic racism, we must continually commit to eliminating violence and other acts of harm. We must persevere and make progress toward a more just and equitable world that works towards the liberation of all.

Sincerely,

Sunita V. Cooke, Ph.D.

Superintendent/President

 

Diane Dieckmeyer, Ed.D.

Vice President, Instruction

 

Charlie Ng

Vice President, Human Resources

 

Tim Flood

Vice President, Administrative Services

 

Alketa Wojcik, Ed.D.

Vice President, Student Services

 

 

As part of our MiraCosta Culture of CARE and Support, the MiraCosta College Office of Student Affairs, Campus Assessment, Resources, and Education (CARE), and Health Services teams are available to provide students with information, brave spaces, and community resources. Students can reach out by submitting a CARE Referral Form to receive information about resources available to students both on and off campus. More information about mental health counseling for students, including the Black Student Support Group, can be found on the Health Services website.

 

MiraCosta employees and their dependents are eligible to receive confidential support. The Employee Assistance Services for Education (EASE) provides free, short-term counseling over the phone or by appointment. To learn more, please contact the EASE Program at 800.722.3273.