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TheNutcracker

(2,104 posts)
Sun Mar 22, 2015, 07:13 PM Mar 2015

Letter from University of Virginia School of Nursing, on violent arrest of student


Dear Alumni and Friends,

By now, you have seen the upsetting image of a UVA undergraduate classmate, bloodied from a State Department of Alcohol Beverage Control Officer slamming his head into the Corner pavement when attempting to take him into custody. While the details of the situation are still being uncovered, many are responding to the appearance of racially-charged use of excessive force and brutality. There are ongoing meetings and gatherings of students, administration, faculty, and staff to see that this horrific incident is properly investigated and handled. We, at the School of Nursing, abhor acts of violence toward anyone in our midst and call for the compassionate and respectful consideration of all.

Yesterday the student, Martese Johnson, made a statement saying: "I still believe in our community. I know this community will support me during this time. I trust that the scars on my face and head will one day heal. The trauma from what the ABC officers did will stay with me forever. I believe we as a a community are better than this. We cannot allow the actions of a few officers to ruin the community of trust we have worked so hard to build."

In the meantime, many of us need a place to process the distress that this causes to us as individuals and as a community. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Minority Rights Coalition (MRC) co-sponsored an 'Empowering Students of Color' group yesterday and this group will be ongoing on Thursdays, 3:15-4:30pm in Newcomb PAC 164H. For individual help, we urge our students and community to call CAPS. Finally, there are two wonderful resources right here at the SON. Susan Kools, Director of Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence and Theresa Carroll, Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services, are both available to talk to students and concerned community members.

We are all in this together,

Dorrie K. Fontaine
Sadie Heath Cabaniss Professor of Nursing and Dean

Susan Kools
Madge M. Jones Professor in Nursing
Director of Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence

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