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Campus Health & Wellbeing Solidarity Statements

Cal Poly banner with pride and solidarity flag and statement, "Pride in solidarity against racism, xenophobia, homophobia, ableism, and transphobia"

Campus Health and Wellbeing acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We pledge ourselves to create and maintain an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, identities, abilities, and experiences. We understand that there are systemic structures that promote privileges and benefits for some and create significant harm and violence toward others; these structures directly impact the inequity in the access to and delivery of medical, mental health, and wellbeing services. We are dedicated to looking within ourselves and our system to support diverse needs and to advocate for equity, inclusion, and justice for all people. We are committed to standing with those who are experiencing discrimination, oppression, and marginalization.

Previous Statements in Solidarity

Below you will find some of the previous solidarity statements. To review each statement, click it to expand.

Statement of Solidarity with the People of Myanmar

CH&W has watched with concern the violence and human rights violations since the military coup of the Myanmar government on February 1, 2021. We stand with the Burmese people who are protesting the coup and who face grave threat in doing so - many already losing their lives and freedom in the struggle. We know that this is impacting many of our students, both here and in Myanmar. We hold you and your loved ones in our hearts and care about your experiences. We recognize and honor the way community support may already be helping you emotionally navigate this incredibly difficult time. If you would like additional support, Counseling Services has both scheduled and drop-in services available. Feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss additional ways to support you that are not already listed on our website.

Solidarity and Support

Campus Health and Wellbeing is grief-stricken and enraged at continued instances of violence against BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) at the hands of police. Recent killings — including those of Daunte Wright in Minnesota and of Krys Brandon Ruiz, a TPOC (Trans-identified Person of Color) individual in nearby Lompoc, Calif. — highlight a national crisis and the brutal reality faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and transgender individuals. According to national studies, people of color and transgender individuals are at higher risk of experiencing violence or harassment involving law enforcement.

We re-affirm our solidarity and support for our BIPOC and Trans students and their loved ones. We denounce acts of violence. We believe that every person is entitled to dignity, respect, and safety.

If you are in need of support, consider calling Counseling Services at 805-756-2511 to speak to a counselor. Or if your student organization, group, or community would like a counselor to facilitate a supportive space, email Counseling Services.

Statement of Solidarity with Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender-Expansive People

Campus Health and Wellbeing (CH&W) stands with transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive people around the globe and at Cal Poly. Trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive persons deserve to live authentically without the threat of discrimination and violence. We at CH&W condemn the rise of recent anti-transgender legislation within the United States. In 2020, 44 transgender and gender-expansive people were violently killed in the United States, with trans women of color being disproportionately impacted. 2021 has already seen at least 12 violent deaths of trans and gender-expansive people. We must continue to fight against legislation, like anti-transgender sports bills, that seeks to politicize basic human rights and fuels a culture of violence and fear. We implore governing officials and agencies to continue to strike down legislation that discriminates and to promote policies that advance protections of trans people.

As medical and mental health professionals, we believe that transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive persons should be protected from harassment in schools, workplaces, and housing, and should be able to compete in sports according to their affirmed identity. We also recognize that equitable access to gender-affirming healthcare and mental health services are a basic need.

CH&W is committed to continued growth in inclusion and advocacy for the needs of our students. We strive to do this through training and education, increasing accessibility to gender-affirming care, and improving our digital and physical spaces with the goal of creating a CH&W that is a safe place for all. We want to hear how we can do better. Email us with feedback.

Verdict in the Derek Chauvin Trial

The verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial was shared today. The justice system held Chauvin accountable for his actions that caused the death of George Floyd.

We also recognize the broader impacts beyond this case and the systemic racism that still confronts BIPOC individuals often without this level of accountability.

Campus Health & Wellbeing will continue to invest in and take action toward equity, justice, belonging, and safety. Racism is a public health issue. We must provide culturally responsive care to all students and cultivate relationships with campus and community entities to promote these values.

If you need support or want to talk about your reactions to the outcome of the trial, or other things that are on your mind, Counseling Services has several opportunities available for you this week:

Call 805-756-2511 to schedule a brief screening to get connected for counseling.

Drop-In to Let’s Talk on Wednesday or Thursday to talk one on one with a therapist for informal consultation.
2 PM-2:50 PM https://zoom.us/j/97713861468

For students who hold marginalized identities, Let’s Talk: Anything & Everything happens on Fridays.
11 AM-11:50 AM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86260282673

If your group, student organization, or other community would like a counselor to provide supportive space for you, email us for more information.

Smart Case Statement

Kristin Smart’s case has had lasting impacts on the Smart family and the Cal Poly community. Kristin’s case, along with those of Rachel Newhouse and Aundria Crawford, sparked the creation of the Safer program on campus during the Fall of 1996, and the campus has since committed itself to create spaces where survivors can go to seek support and validation. We would be remiss in not mentioning that this event is happening during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. While we do not know the full details about what exactly happened to Kristin on the night of her disappearance, we do want to acknowledge that news like this can feel very overwhelming and, in some cases, triggering. Safer has staff available to assist members of our campus community in their processing of this news. Make an appointment with one of Safer's Confidential Advocates.

We would also like to invite our community to attend Take Back the Night events this year, held on April 29 via Zoom. Register for the evening event, Survivor Speak Out and Candlelight Vigil held from 5 to 6 PM.

We hear you and are here to support and listen.

Response to Atlanta, March 17, 2021

We are broken-hearted and angry to hear of the act of hate that killed 8 people, many of whom were Asian women, last night in Georgia. This crime comes at a time when anti-Asian and gender-based violence is happening across the country, fueled by xenophobia, misogyny, misattribution of blame, and hatred. We denounce these actions and the beliefs that motivate them. All people living in this country should have access to safe environments and not fear for their lives.

At Campus Health and Wellbeing, we support our female-identified, Asian and Asian-American students, and recognize that this event in Georgia has ripple effects here in San Luis Obispo, and in the home communities of our students, faculty and staff. In a recent study published by Stop AAPI Hate, California was identified as the location of 45% of all reports targeting Asian-American Pacific Islander populations nationwide. In addition, the World Health Organization estimates that 33% of women experience gender-based violence in their lifetime.

You may have experienced micro or macroaggressions because of your identities, or you may be experiencing increased fear or worry about what could happen to you or those you love.

In times like this, you may feel alone. Connecting with others can provide comfort, a sense of community, and decrease feelings of isolation - reach out to friends, family and roommates to support one another today. Check in with yourself to see what you might need - a time of quiet reflection, moving your body in ways that feel good, reading more about what happened, or turning off all social media for a time.

We also offer professional services through Counseling Services including Let's Talk (today and tomorrow at 2 pm and Friday at 11 for BIPOC students) and traditional counseling (call 805-756-2511 to schedule an appointment). If you are a part of a group, club, or class that has been impacted, and would like support, email Counseling Services to coordinate a response.

Statement of Solidarity with Black Lives

Campus Health & Wellbeing affirms our commitment to recognize and address all forms of racism. As medical, mental health, and wellbeing professionals, it is our calling to support the physical and psychological wellbeing of students and the campus community. We are committed to the continued education of our community against racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and transphobia. We are dedicated to standing up, taking action, and advocating for social justice.

We stand in solidarity with our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students in calling for justice for the many whose lives have been lost to the violence of racism; we denounce the rise of overt anti-Asian racism and xenophobia surrounding COVID-19; and decry the recent Health and Human Services ruling, re-affirming our commitment to providing affirming services to all Cal Poly students, inclusive of all gender or sexual identities.

Campus Health & Wellbeing is critically examining our services and values as an organization. In our pursuit to serve all students, we need to meet the needs of our most marginalized, including BIPOC, undocumented, and LGBTQIA+ students. We plan to engage our students, staff, and faculty and we will work to incorporate an action plan soon.

If you are in need of support, consider calling Counseling Services at 805-756-2511 to speak to a Counselor.