Members of the Student Diversity Committee at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP), with the support of the University, have issued the following statement in support of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month:
The recent and continuing events of xenophobic behavior, racist language, assaults, deaths, and many other hateful acts against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are deeply saddening. As a university, it is important to express our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. RMUoHP is unified in condemning any and all racially motivated and xenophobic acts of harassment and violence. We have a zero-tolerance policy for these behaviors and are completely opposed to the intolerance and bigotry directed at our AAPI community.
Inclusiveness is one of the central pillars that upholds the values and mission of RMUoHP: “By honoring our differences and similarities, we strengthen institutional and community connections.” During this particular time, where our AAPI members have been increasingly marginalized and stigmatized, we empathize and continue to welcome cultural diversity into our institution. We are committed to providing support to our RMUoHP families, cultivating inclusiveness, and engaging learning environments where students, faculty, and staff feel safe, respected, and valued.
RMUoHP will combat anti-Asian hate by:
- Listening to diverse voices. Promoting class discussion, encouraging student-faculty open-door policies, and collecting and analyzing institutional survey data.
- Talking about discrimination and inclusion. Expanding offerings on AAPI experiences by developing panel discussions and acknowledging societal discrimination and marginalization during scheduled bi-weekly Student Diversity Committee (SDC) and monthly University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (UDEI) meetings. Promoting awareness and encouragement to discuss, on and off university grounds, our stand in solidarity.
- Providing a safe space to cultivate openness and connection for our AAPI community and allies. Cultivating a culture of inclusion and safety to our students, staff, and faculty at all times, in and out of the classroom, by genuine acknowledgment and understanding.
- Support and resources. Some resources to help start these important conversations include Stop AAPI Hate; Anti-Racism Resources for the AAPI Community; Asian American and Pacific Islander
At RMUoHP, we are creating tomorrow’s healthcare providers and community leaders; thus, we hold the responsibility to continue to challenge the ever-changing dynamic of our community. We stand strong in the face of adversity and are in full support to ensure that our students have the opportunity to engage in meaningful, informed conversations that promote tolerance, understanding, and respect for all.
We would like to acknowledge the continued commitment and unwavering support from the entirety of RMUoHP. These recent incidents have exposed a flaw in our beautiful nation and demonstrate the continued need to stand together to work toward the elimination of racism, ignorance, and hatred. Today, and for the future, we stand in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and will always support our RMUoHP family in addressing these issues in safe, empathetic, and empowering ways.
