Below is a statement President and Dean Anthony Niedwiecki sent to Mitchell Hamline students on Wednesday, March 17:
“In light of the horrific events in Atlanta yesterday, we want to reaffirm our commitment to our Asian and Asian-American students, staff, and faculty, who are likely shocked, frightened, and angry because the majority of the victims were Asian. This follows an increase in discrimination and hate crimes directed toward Asians and Asian Americans in our community and throughout the country following the start of the pandemic.
One of our strengths at Mitchell Hamline is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. I want to take this opportunity to reiterate our policy of non-discrimination and non-harassment and our commitment to supporting all members of our diverse community, especially our Asian and Asian-American students who are facing even more difficulties through this trying time.
I ask each of you to make the same commitment to helping our classmates and those in our community who may be subject to anti-Asian discrimination and hate.
Please know that we all stand with our Asian and Asian-American students, faculty, and staff through this difficult time. Please contact me or Dean LeMoine if you need anything or face any discrimination or harassment in or outside of the school.”