The following message was sent to the Elizabethtown College community on Oct. 17, 2023.
It has been nearly two weeks since the war, violence, and devastation in Israel and Gaza began. As more horrific stories unfold, we want to reiterate our stance at Elizabethtown College, driven by our values of peace, non-violence, human dignity, and social justice; we denounce all acts of terrorism and no conflict is solved with brutality and senseless death. My thoughts are with the victims and all who have been impacted by this conflict. My focus is on the care of our Etown College community, and those of our students, colleagues, and alumni who have personal ties to Israel, Gaza, and Palestine. The devastation and weight accompanying these incomprehensible acts leave many of us feeling helpless and overwhelmed. No one should live in fear because of their identity or religion. As a society, we must do better and support the innocent people whose lives have been uprooted in chaos.The College’s initial communication sent last week was centered on the well-being of our students and employees grappling with pressures many cannot begin to imagine. We also held a vigil last Thursday on campus in coordination with our student group, Hillel, and our Chaplain’s office. As we continue to navigate this calculated and intentional onslaught of murder and destruction, we must prioritize a safe and inclusive environment for our campus. We understand you may still be feeling sad or anxious during this time. The following individuals are available as resources for anyone who may need to process these recent events:
- Josh Cohen, Hillel Advisor
- Nichole Gonzalez, Vice President of Student Life & Dean of Students
- Darcey Mills, Director of Diversity, Equity & Belonging
- Rev. Amy Shorner-Johnson, Chaplain & Director for Spiritual & Religious Services
- Hossein Varamini, Middle Eastern Student Association Advisor
Students may also reach out to Counseling Services for support, and Human Resources is available with employee assistance program (EAP) resources for colleagues who may need to utilize the services provided.One of the most important roles we can play as a College during tough times is guiding our community in understanding the complexities of conflict. We are facilitating this by offering resources to our faculty to guide conversations with our students.It is our mission to proactively promote our peacebuilding values. I encourage you all to work together with those values at the forefront of your dialogue to foster relationships based on honesty, integrity, and ethics.Let us, most importantly, support our peers and colleagues during this difficult period with an empathetic and open mindset as we continue to process this humanitarian crisis.
Elizabeth A Rider
President
Elizabethtown College