April 20, 2021 - Providing Support in the Aftermath of the Derek Chauvin Trial

To: Campus Community

As we near the end of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, I recognize that the last few weeks and months have been painful, traumatic, and stressful for many across our campus, particularly for members of our Black and Indigenous communities and people of color.

The trial, along with the recent killings of Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo by police officers, is a grim reminder of the injustice that plagues our society. As a campus, we support our BIPOC students, staff, faculty, and friends as we both call for and seek to bring forth real, meaningful change. It is important for each of us to extend our care and grace to all, and to respect that many are experiencing deep and ongoing stress and grief. If you are in need of emotional support for any reason, please reach out to the campus services that are here to support you, including the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Cross-Cultural Leadership Center, and the Employee Assistance Program. 

In the aftermath of the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many others, and the corresponding worldwide protests against systemic racism, we created the Presidential Task Force to Examine University Police Policies and Practices to reimagine the work of UPD with a commitment to embrace anti-racism. The task force features a diverse group of faculty, students, staff, and administrators. Task force members are thinking creatively about ways UPD can strengthen relationships and interactions with the campus community while striving to keep campus safe and secure. With many different experiences and viewpoints, the work has been hard. But that’s OK. In fact, the dissenting conversations are a reminder of the importance of this work and why we are doing it.

As we prepare for the announcement of the verdict in the Chauvin trial, Chico State is working to anticipate the needs of and ensure the safety of our community. Please take care of each other. Be mindful that those around you may be hurting right now and take steps to extend compassion on campus, in our Zoom meetings, and in the community.

Sincerely,
Gayle Hutchinson 
President