Acknowledging Recent Incident and Affirming Our Shared Commitment

Dear Seattle University Community,

We write to welcome you back to campus as we begin the new term and to offer support and resources as we come back together in the spirit of growth, understanding, and advancing an inclusive, academically excellent university for all.

As many but not all may be aware, an incident occurred during the broadcast of a Seattle University basketball game over the winter break, which led the university to promptly issue a statement through Athletics. Additionally, those directly impacted were immediately attended to, including the students, other team members, and coaches. Given that this incident occurred while most of the university was away for winter break, we write to address the community to acknowledge not only that this incident occurred, but also to affirm all those in our community, including our Asian and Asian American students, staff, and faculty. You are valued and integral to our university community. We are proud of your accomplishments and contributions to Seattle University.

Mistakes and misstatements on identity issues and a range of human experiences are not uncommon and sometimes result in less than desired impacts, including hurt, disappointment, and even frustration. Historical, cultural, and political context often lays bare the meaning and nature of experiences, including a long history of anti-Asian hate and injustice. What stands as an important hallmark in the context of our Ignatian tradition is the concept of presupposition—the notion that we offer generosity to one another, both to address the impact and avoid knee-jerk responses. Called to approach each other with grace, we seek to create opportunities for healing, growth, and reconciliation through education and dialogue.

As a professional learning community in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition, and particularly as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), we take seriously the challenge of educating ourselves and continuously improving our efforts and skills to better engage productively across difference.

Additionally, as we continue to navigate across difference as a university community, consider these five short tips:

• Separate the action from the source
• Acknowledge and accept that we all represent a range of human experiences and reside at different places in the learning process
• Focus on genuine human engagement rather than searching for scripts
• Focus on progress, not perfection or performance
• Hold curiosity and humility over judgment

The underlying principles of LIFT SU (Listen and learn | Impact through intentional action | Fail forward | Transform together) embed the intention that as imperfect human beings, we have the capacity to learn, grow, and transform together. As a university, this remains our purpose and our aim as an academic community committed to radical hospitality.

For those needing additional resources and support, you can find them here:

Dean of Students/Care Team

Human Resources

Campus Climate Incident Reporting and Response

Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Respectfully,

Eduardo M. Peñalver
President

Natasha Martin
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Shaney Fink
Vice President for Athletics

Jerron Lowe
Vice President for Human Resources