2020-21 Academic Year

University Life Forum: Racial Justice, the Chauvin Trial and Beyond, 4/20 at 3 PM, Other Upcoming Events and Available Resources

April 15, 2021

Dear Students,

As the nation anticipates closing arguments in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, we invite you to join the University Life Forum: Racial Justice, the Chauvin Trial and Beyond this Tuesday, April 20 at 3:00 PM EST on Zoom. Please join this moderated discussion, featuring Columbia faculty from across the University, in this pivotal moment in the American racial justice movement. Register here.

This is a challenging time for many in our community. We do not typically create programming during this time in the term, but the issues this trial raises weigh heavily on many of us, even more so with the recent killing of Daunte Wright by law enforcement just this week.

Panelists include:

  • Carmela Alcántara, Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Doctoral Education, Columbia University School of Social Work
  • Farah Jasmine Griffin, Chair, Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies; William B. Ransford Professor of English and Comparative Literature and African-American Studies & Professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies
  • Bernard Harcourt, Isidor and Seville Sulzbacher Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science
  • Josef Sorett (moderator), Professor and Chair, Department of Religion; Professor, Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies

This event is hosted by University Life in partnership with the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement; Dennis A. Mitchell, Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement and Professor of Dental Medicine at CUMC, will share opening remarks.

Your advance questions are welcome, and can be submitted with your registration. The event will also be livestreamed on University Life’s YouTube channel and website.

We know you are managing a lot with the end of the semester, and want to remind you of new and existing resources available to you to help navigate this period.

Spiritual Wellbeing in the Midst of Anxiety and Conflict: A Space to Listen, Share, and Reflect
If you would like to pause, connect with others and reflect on the moment we find ourselves in, you can join Religious Life’s weekly conversations, Fridays from 2:00-3:00 PM EST. Register here. Prefer to meet in small groups instead? Please email [email protected].

Supporting Your Mental and Physical Well-Being
As always, Columbia Health or Student Health on Haven are available to you. You can book time to speak with a counselor one on one at Morningside or CUIMC, join a support group, or simply get tips to help you stay healthy during times of stress. For spiritual support you can also always connect with a Religious Life advisor. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] with questions, concerns or feedback, and please take good care of yourself and each other. We wish you all the best as we navigate this challenging time.

Take care,

Joseph Defraine Greenwell, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Office of University Life
Gender Pronouns: He/Him/His

Ixchel Rosal
Associate Vice President for Student Life
Office of University Life
Gender Pronouns: She/Her/Hers