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On the anniversary of George Floyd's death

Posted May 24, 2021

Today is the year anniversary of George Floyd’s death. Metropolitan State University stands committed to providing assistance to you, our students and our community, as we focus on promoting dialogue and communication, and providing support.

We must recognize the trauma that many are experiencing – especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, or Asian American / Pacific Islander. These events impact our communities in dramatically different ways.

During these very difficult times, faculty, staff, and students should hold fast to our principles and our commitments. The values of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our mission, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to these values and ensuring that our campuses remain safe and welcoming places for all our students and employees.

We also want to ensure safe and inclusive environments for everyone in our learning community, on and off campus. Metropolitan State University and its Minnesota State partner universities and colleges are committed to enhancing Minnesota's quality of life by developing and fostering understanding and appreciation of a democratic and diverse society.

We are sharing a list of events that are taking place in the Twin Cities area today, Tuesday, May 25 and this week: 

  • Celebration of Life and Remembrance, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 
  • Rise and Remember: 1–9 p.m., Candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. George Floyd Square, 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis. 
  • A vigil to honor the life of George Floyd, diversity, equity and inclusion, 8 p.m., Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 875 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul. 
  • Saint Paul invites community members to attend a virtual healing circle, 4–5:30 p.m. to address the hurt and trauma caused by the killing of George Floyd last summer and civil unrest that followed, the recent trial and verdict, and the killing of Daunte Wright in April. These circles are led by experienced individual healers who are embedded in the community and use their lived experiences, expertise, and training to facilitate a welcoming, safe, and comfortable environment for participants to express themselves. 
  • ABC News—"After Floyd: The Year that Shook the World—A Soul of a Nation Special" 9 p.m. https://abc.com/shows/soul-of-a-nation
  • Additional events and culturally relevant resources:
  • A Week Dedicated to Healing: Anniversary Memorial of Mr. George Floyd’s death by Sweet Potato Comfort Pie Project, May 24–May 27. Includes several events throughout the week.

George Floyd’s murder reignited attention to much needed racial equity and justice efforts. To honor Mr. Floyd, we unite with our community to activate and continue to challenge the roots of racism and the systemic violence that impacts Black Americans. 

Over the past year we’ve come together to move us beyond conversation and towards action to fully​ realize our commitment to being an anti-racist university.

  • The Real Talk: Unpacking System Racism series (hosted by our Multicultural, American Indian, and Retention Services department) spurred our community to examine the many ways racism has been embedded in our organizational structures, practices, and policies and stimulated our thinking about ways we can continue to bring down many of these barriers to equity.
  • We administered a staff and student campus climate survey. With a lens on racial identity, an action team will be working to provide recommendations on next steps to improve our climate so all may flourish.
  • Our Policy and Procedure Council and university leaders have been trained on applying an equity-lens to our policy reviews and implementation processes. 
  • We have formed and established the Equity by Design workgroup to examine educational disparities in an equity-minded way and develop actions to eliminate those disparities.   
  • We established the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship, which attracted gifts from our community, and selected the first scholar last fall. 
  • The Metropolitan State University Anti-Racism Coalition and the Office of Equity and Inclusion are currently planning the 2nd Annual Day of Honoring, Learning and Action to be held on-campus on June 18, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. We invite all who are available to participate in a day where our community comes together to honor Mr. Floyd and to bring forward ideas to move anti-racism forward throughout our institution. Register to attend.

Our work is far from over. Our Equity 2030 efforts are nested within our institution’s strategic plan and aim to close educational equity gaps by 2030. We’ll continue to update you on progress and ways that you can be engaged, take action, and make Metropolitan State University an anti-racist learning and working environment.

The university also has resources to support our students and make them aware of university services to assist.

Connect with Metro State Staff via Zoom

We have a series of “open office hours” via Zoom for students to access additional support in different areas across the university. Gateway Student Services, the Library and Learning Center, and Student Center remain open at the Saint Paul campus. Information about the various offices and hours are found on the Office Zoom Hours Schedule (you may need your Star ID to view).

Additionally, Metro State’s Counseling Services recognizes the significant harm caused by the longstanding and entrenched history of systemic racism. Our staff are committed to providing affirming and culturally-informed mental health services to Metro State students who have been either directly or vicariously affected by trauma. Contact Counseling Services if you (or someone you know) would like support with coping or healing. To schedule an appointment or for support, call 651-793-1568, 24/7/365.

We stand committed to provide assistance to you. If you prefer to meet in person, please contact the appropriate department to understand available options while providing support and prioritizing the safety of the members of our community and campuses.

Community and University Resources

Systemic racism continues to impact Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, including encounters with law enforcement. Visit our list of links to community and university resources that Metro State students may find useful.

Multicultural, American Indian, and Retention Services

Multicultural, American Indian and Retention Services (previously known as Multicultural Affairs), promotes the academic success of historically underrepresented incoming, current and graduating students by providing retention programming and a wide range of services that includes advocacy and educational planning. Students are assisted and supported by the culturally-sensitive staff. The services are designed to enrich the academic and social experience of students while also connecting them to university and relevant community resources.

Culturally Responsive Student Success Coordinators

Visit MAIR for more information

Connect with Students

Mental Health Support

Metro State’s Counseling Services recognizes the significant harm caused by the longstanding and entrenched history of systemic racism. Our staff are committed to providing affirming and culturally-informed mental health services to Metro State students who have been either directly or vicariously affected by trauma. Contact Counseling Services if you (or someone you know) would like support with coping or healing.

To schedule an appointment, call 651-793-1568.

Metro CARES line: for 24/7/365 support call 651-793-1568 and choose option zero (0)

For SUICIDE PREVENTION, 24/7, contact one of these free resources:

We hope you will help us share these important resources with our students. The more ways that students receive the information, the more likely it is that they will know how to get support or become engaged when they need to.

Faculty and Staff

We recognize that faculty and staff may also be experiencing difficult emotions and stress at this time. Employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program at any time. For service, call 651-259-3840 or 1-800-657-3719.

As we move through this anniversary, continue to support each other and build the anti-racist learning environment and community where all can thrive and achieve their goals. Hope and joy live in the work we do and the differences we make in the lives of others.

Never forget, we are #MetroStrong.