Since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic, incidents of violence against the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community have increased at an alarming rate. The pandemic has brought a great deal of uncertainty to our lives, along with potential for misinformation that can be harmful to our campus and communities. It is the shared responsibility of all of us to embrace and support individuals from a wide range of identities, perspectives, viewpoints and experiences with full understanding and sensitivity.

As a university community known for caring about each other, we all need to be understanding and compassionate. We should also be aware of and avoid broad generalizations and assumptions about China and people from Asian countries. Classifying Asian people as dangerous or sick, or making assumptions about a person’s nationality based on their physical appearance, reinforces long-standing histories of xenophobia and racism (whether intentional or not). Please treat all members of our community with respect and empathy as our university and the entire world deals with this challenging and evolving global pandemic.  Hate, violence, and discrimination towards any group has no place on our campus, is never acceptable, and cannot be tolerated.

During this time of heightened anxiety and swift transition for our community, we must also reject online behavior that vilifies, demeans, or disrespects others. COVID-19 is not specific to any ethnicity, race, or community. It is important that all members of our community feel included and supported. Students, faculty, and staff who experience bias related to race, national origin, or other protected identity are encouraged to complete a Campus Climate Support Form.

The Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement (CICCE) and Office of Global Engagement (OGE) staffs are available to discuss concerns. To learn more about combating discrimination or violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, visit STOPAAPIhate.org. 

We ask that all members of the UM community be especially vigilant in supporting one another – whether on campus or remote, sick or well, majority or underrepresented – and that they condemn any discriminatory acts or hate speech targeting any identity group or community.

Staying Successful during COVID-19

Coping During COVID-19 (Students)

Coping During COVID-19 (Faculty/Staff) 

Anti-Asian Violence Resources

Associated Student Body AAPI Resources

Bias Education and Response Team

Additional resources are outlined below:

Center for Inclusion & Cross Cultural Engagement

PH: 662-915-1689

Office of Global Engagement

PH: 001-662-915-1618

Division of Diversity & Community Engagement

PH: 662-915-2933

UMATTER

PH: 662-915-7248

Office of Conflict Resolution & Student Conduct

PH: 662-915-1387

University Counseling Center

PH: 662-915-3784

University Police Department

PH: 662-915-4911

At the University of Mississippi, we are lucky to work with colleagues across campus who are committed to community engagement. Many of these colleagues serve on our Council of Community Engagement (CoCE). Following our monthly CoCE meeting yesterday afternoon, we wanted to share some of the outstanding work being done by individuals and departments across the UM campus.

More than 300 student volunteers are safely helping with COVID-19 efforts at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, including assisting at testing sites.

Colleagues in the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence and the IDEAlab in the J.D. Williams Library are using 3-D printers to manufacture face shields that will be donated to Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. “Here on campus, we are fortunate to have resources in places like the CME and the IDEAlab that can provide support in some way,” said Scott Kilpatrick, the center’s associate director of academic programs. “Even individual UM faculty and staff are using their own personal 3D printers to contribute as best they can.” Read the full story here.

Chip Wade, an assistant research professor of biomedical engineering and the co-director of the Center for Diagnostics, Design, Devices and Biomechanics, developed a 3-D prototype face mask. Wade notes that the masks will “be developed through injection molding – a technique that allows manufacturers to scale production of the masks rapidly,” which will allow them to potentially make “5,000, 6,000, 7,000 masks a day, as opposed to a few hundred.” You can learn more about this innovative project here.

Students at Oxford’s Bramlett Elementary School and the University of Mississippi‘s Willie Price Lab School have been learning to grow fresh greens and herbs in tower gardens, harvesting them for salads and smoothies while learning valuable lessons about nutrition and growing food. The produce that once served as a learning tool and healthy snack for area children is being put to use in a new way during the COVID-19 health crisis – feeding families in need. You can read more about this important work here.

In an update from an ongoing project, UM faculty and staff have developed a story map on safe water in Jackson. This interdisciplinary team, organized through the National Sea Grant Law Center, is “seeking to assess and raise awareness of the contribution of lead pipes and water treatment to lead poisoning in Mississippi through community-based research, education, and outreach.”  Team members include: Stephanie Otts and Catherine Janasie from the National Sea Grant Law Center, as well as Dr. Kristie Willett from UM’s School of Pharmacy, Dr. John Green and Lynn Woo from the Center for Population Studies and Dr. Cris Surbeck in UM’s School of Engineering. You can read more about their project here, and you can explore the map they created here.

We are so inspired by the many ways our community has stayed engaged and innovated during this time of crisis. Are you doing work that we should share? Get in touch at engaged@olemiss.edu – we want to share your story!

Financial Resilience & Crisis Fundraising Training Series

Starting 4/13 Network for Good is hosting a free, four-part Financial Resilience & Crisis Fundraising Training Series for nonprofit organizations nationwide, delivered virtually via webinar over a two-week period.

Learn more and register here.

Over two weeks, you will craft:

1. A financial resilience plan;
2. A right-sized crisis fundraising strategy;
3. Messaging and storytelling assets to raise emergency funds from individual donors.