Message to the USC Dornsife Community

Dean Amber D. Miller, PhD
June 1, 2020

 

Dear USC Dornsife Community,

As we are met with images of both peaceful protest and violent conflict, we are confronted once again with the ugly reality that racial injustice remains a pernicious and deeply rooted problem in America. We as a nation still haven’t figured out how to affect the change that is badly needed.

Emotions are raw. I don’t pretend to know what you are feeling right now, and there are no words I can offer that will fix what is happening. What I can say to you is this: USC Dornsife is here for you. As a community dedicated to truth and learning, everything we do is driven by a desire for understanding, for empathy, and human flourishing.  We are a family that represents the shifting demographics of our city, state, and nation. And we are a family that has your back. 

The cruel and senseless death of George Floyd amplifies our collective responsibility to meet racism not with the force of brutality, but with decency and solidarity. I am encouraged by the diverse group of people who are coming together to grieve and protest — passionately and peacefully.

As a USC Dornsife community, I promise you that we will continue to dedicate ourselves together to valuing different perspectives and achieving true diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because without this, we cannot, together, meet our full potential. We will continue to show the world that we truly live and act on our core values. 

 In the coming days, we will be looking to our community of teachers and scholars to help us make sense of where we are, and to identify the most constructive paths forward. 

Please take care of yourselves, your family, and our extended community. If you or someone you care about needs additional help navigating this difficult period, please remember the resources below. 

Warmly,

Amber D. Miller, Ph.D.
Dean

  • USC Dornsife Office of Diversity Resources 
    https://dornsife.usc.edu/diversity-materials/
  • USC Campus Support and Advocacy (part of Campus Wellbeing and Crisis Intervention) at 213-821-4710 in TCC 421 or https://campussupport.usc.edu/ assists faculty, staff, and students in resolving complex personal, academic, and financial issues, providing useful information and referring to the proper campus resources.