UPPS responds to recent violence in Georgia

Dear Penn State Community,

Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of the innocent lives lost on March 17 in the Atlanta, Georgia area. While the investigation is still ongoing, the news that six victims were members of the Asian community has understandably caused increased fear and concern among members of the Asian and Pacific Islander community in the United States, including at Penn State. We stand alongside the API community and offer any of our resources that can help support the API community at this difficult time. More information on our resources can be found at police.psu.edu/community-policing.

We recognize the impact the recent violent acts have had on our Asian and Pacific Islander students and University employees. For many, these acts of hate have been difficult to process, heart-breaking and traumatic.

As part of our ongoing community efforts, we continue to reach out to our community members directly to listen and offer support and resources. This effort includes providing opportunities for one-on-one and group dialogue and support in virtual settings.

We also continue to make efforts to build trusting relationships with all members of our community. We want you to know that we are here to support every member of the Penn State community, and if you believe you have experienced hate, we encourage you to report it to police. By reporting, we can offer you services and support and take steps that may help prevent someone else from becoming hurt in the same way.

For the broader community, you can help by recognizing and reporting behavior you believe to be a potential concern to the Behavioral Threat Management Team at 855-863-2868 or online at btmt.psu.edu. You can also support your fellow Penn State community members by talking to your family, friends, and co-workers about hate and bias, and creating awareness where it may not yet exist. By creating awareness, you are equipping those around you to recognize hate and bias when it is occurring and act, whether it is speaking out, stepping in or calling the police.

You can also help by supporting trainings and educational programming within your student organization or work unit that combat hate or by offering resources to those who may be targets of hate.

For far too long, we as a society have relied too heavily on those who are being hurt to educate the broader community on how to fix it. It is important that we all take steps to educate ourselves. We all have a responsibility to contribute to a community that is safe for everyone.

Respectfully, 

Associate Vice President Charlie Noffsinger

Police Chief Joseph Milek

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Iris Richardson

Community Oriented Policing Coordinator Officer Michelle Beckenbaugh