In the wake of the tragic shooting in Colorado targeting the LGBTQIA+ community, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Student Affairs (SA) are reiterating the University’s position against hate, bigotry or discrimination of any kind and expressing care for all communities that are feeling vulnerable and wrestling with grief.
The violence perpetrated on Nov. 19, 2022, in Colorado Springs is the latest act of open aggression that specifically focused on the LGBTQIA+ community. This kind of hateful behavior must be met with strength and vigilance in support of our fellow community members.
“I want every member of our campus community impacted by this tragedy, particularly members of the LGBTQIA+ community, to know they are not alone,” says Lori McDonald, vice president for Student Affairs. “Several departments on campus are here to support you and help you process and grieve.”
Tragic events like this weekend’s violence in Colorado are often (if not always) preceded by other attacks on vulnerable groups. Several have pointed to discriminatory language and exclusionary policy that had been used to attack the LGBTQIA+ community and dehumanize them in the months before this attack. The best way to stop these events is to interrupt racism and bias whenever we encounter it—and cultivate a culture of caring and belonging for everyone.
“We are terribly saddened by what we’re seeing in Colorado Springs—and at the same time we must be on guard against these trends in our own city and state,” says Vice President of EDI at the University of Utah, Mary Ann Villarreal.
On the University of Utah campus, instances of bigotry have recently highlighted negative perceptions held against members of different groups—including our Asian/Asian American community. One recent incident involved racist slurs and comments directed toward an individual at the Utah-USC football game. In two other incidents, a student was subjected to hate speech at a Utah Transit Authority Trax light rail station and a university employee working at the J. Willard Marriott Library was targeted.
Villarreal says we must remain vigilant in our efforts to stem the tide of hateful behavior toward members of any marginalized group.
“We must come together as a community and continue fighting against hateful language and discrimination,” she said. “There is no room for hate in our community.”
The Racist & Bias Incident Response Team (RBIRT) urges campus to “be vigilant” and where possible defend those who are being targeted. “Stopping this type of behavior takes collective action, and bystander intervention efforts are one way of combatting such conduct that causes real harm.” Campus community members looking for information about effective bystander intervention strategies, can visit the workshop training site here.
Academic and University of Utah Health community members who have been impacted by racist or biased acts will also find several university support staff and resources to help. For updates on opportunities to connect with the LGBTQIA+ community and process the violence that has targeted the community follow @lgbtresource and @uofuwrc on Instagram and Twitter.
We aspire to live by the standards of our Guiding Principles on Equity and Belonging, that we all have the right to live free of discrimination, harassment, and prejudicial treatment. In the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy, we hope all of campus will renew its commitment to these values and convey caring for our entire community.
Resources available on campus
Center for Student Wellness
wellness.utah.edu
801-581-7776
Victim-survivor advocacy (for students, faculty, and staff)
Wellness education and training
University Counseling Center
counselingcenter.utah.edu
801-581-6826
Students only
Employee Assistance Program
hr.utah.edu/benefits/eap
801-587-9319 or 1-800-926-9619
Employees only
Huntsman Mental Health Institute
healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/programs/crisis-diversion
801-587-3000
Available 24/7
Utah Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255
Available 24/7
Mental Health First Responders (MH1)
mh1.utah.edu
385-324-5356
After-hours crisis support for campus residents only
Available 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
SafeUT app
safeut.org
833-372-3388
Chat via the app 24/7
Basic Needs Collective
basicneeds.utah.edu
Virtual chat available 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Contact outside of chat hours here
Women’s Resource Center
womenscenter.utah.edu
wrc@sa.utah.edu
801-581-8030
University Safety Department
safety.utah.edu
University Police
police.utah.edu
801-585-2677
Campus Security
safety.utah.edu/campus-security
Main Campus Courtesy Escorts
801-585-2677
University Hospital Courtesy Escorts
801-581-2294
Housing and Residential Education
housing.utah.edu/living-the-u/safety-security
info@housing.utah.edu
HRE Front Desk Support
Peterson Heritage Center
801-587-2000
Available 24/7
Kahlert Village
801-585-1264
Available 24/7
Marriott Honors Community
801-587-8444
Available 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Lassonde Studios
801-213-8700
Available 24/7
SafeU
safeu.utah.edu
More support and resources listings.
SafeUT app
safeut.org
833-372-3388
Chat via the app 24/7
Independent Review Committee
irc@utah.edu
Complaints about public safety personnel may be reported to the Independent Review Committee.
Office for Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX
oeo.utah.edu
801-581-8365
Office of the Dean of Students
deanofstudents.utah.edu
801-581-7066
Academic Affairs Faculty Ombuds’ Office
academic-affairs.utah.edu/office-for-faculty/facultyombuds
University of Utah Health Office of the Ombuds
uofuhealth.utah.edu/ombudsman
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
diversity.utah.edu
801-581-7569
University of Utah Health Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
uofuhealth.utah.edu/inclusion
Office for Inclusive Excellence
inclusive-excellence.utah.edu
801-587-7580
International Student and Scholar Services
isss.utah.edu
international@utah.edu
801-581-8876
American Indian Resource Center
diversity.utah.edu/airc
801-581-7019
Black Cultural Center
diversity.utah.edu/bcc
801-213-1441
Center for Disability & Access
disability.utah.edu
info@disability.utah.edu
801-581-5020
Center for Equity and Student Belonging (CESB)
diversity.utah.edu/cesb
801-581-8151
Dream Center
dream.utah.edu
801-213-3697
LGBT Resource Center
lgbt.utah.edu
801-587-7973
Women’s Resource Center
womenscenter.utah.edu
wrc@sa.utah.edu
801-581-8030
Veterans Support Center
veteranscenter.utah.edu
vetcenter@sa.utah.edu
801-587-7722