Throughout the past year in our COVID-19 pandemic state, and notably in the past few weeks, our country continues to witness and experience a rise in anti-Asian racism and violence, spurred on by baseless, irrational assumptions and biased leaps of logic that cannot and should not be validated.
We condemn these acts of hate and stand in solidarity with our Asian and Asian American communities against racism in all its forms, and we are committed to advancing antiracism to actively address racial inequities and injustices with an expansive coalition of institutional and community partners. Resources like our Asian Studies Center are critical partners in helping expand education, awareness, and building connection. We understand that we all have a role to play in fostering and promoting an equitable and just society for all.
The Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is coordinating a community-wide and community-sourced directory of antiracism resources to be shared broadly this Spring. One such resource is OEDI’s new education and dialogue series cohort—Developing Diversity Consciousness to Foster Antiracist Practices, Cultures, and Communities—that is free and open to all University students, staff, and faculty.
Pitt is committed to creating and maintaining an equitable and inclusive climate that is free from harassment and discrimination for all members of our community. Our Asian and Asian American communities are vital threads of the Pitt fabric, contributing greatly to our enrichening, multicultural experience and excellence. Our racial diversity is our strength, and it is crucial that everyone feel safe and supported here at Pitt.
Please consider the support resources below if you witness or experience harassment.
If you need support or to discuss an incident with someone, call the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX at 412-684-7860.
Reports of bias incidents enable the University to assess the campus climate and promptly respond to incidents. Filing a bias report also gives the reporter access to support and referral services.
Bias reports: https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/civil-rights-title-ix/make-report/report-form
If you want to speak to a counselor confidentially for support or to process a situation, there are resources on campus that you can use.
Confidential Counseling Resources: https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/civil-rights-title-ix/resources-and-support-services/confidential-resources
Emergency services: Call Pitt Police at 412-624-2121
Finally, if you are a student, faculty, or staff organization that would like a presentation on how to report incidents and what the University’s Policies are for addressing harassment, please contact katiepope@pitt.edu
Other statements from across the University
Statements from University leaders
Department of Communication (joined by the Department of Religious Studies, Department of Africana Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program, Jewish Studies Program, Department of Communication, Asian Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, Department of French and Italian)
Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program