Reflecting on kindness and compassion

Dear Roadrunners,

Monday is World Kindness Day, an international observance that encourages people to bridge differences and focus on the common threads that bind us. It’s an opportune moment to pause and reflect on something that is all too often overlooked: our shared humanity and our innate capacity for kindness and compassion.

It’s no secret that we are living in extremely polarized times, both at home and abroad. The conflicts in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and beyond and the political and cultural turmoil here in the U.S. are just a few troubling examples, and many of us understandably have strong feelings about what is happening.

That’s why the reminder to practice kindness and tolerance with one another is particularly relevant.

Here at MSU Denver, our role is to educate and provide forums for learning by engaging in thoughtful, respectful discourse. Implicit in that mission is a deep-rooted commitment to freedom of expression and the understanding that we can disagree without being disagreeable.  This requires treating one another with civility and respect so we can open our minds and truly take into consideration differing viewpoints.

I know that emotions are especially raw right now;  and when passions run high, it’s easy to dismiss others, or make them into objects of contempt. So let me be clear: while we support the free expression of opinions, discrimination, bullying and threats of violence cannot be tolerated.

For faculty and staff members engaging with students on sensitive topics, it’s incumbent upon us to demonstrate through classroom discourse that for real dialogue to occur, we need to listen before we speak. Talking past- or at – each other never yields true understanding.  We should seek to understand and to persuade, not to intimidate.

I hope you will take some time this week to contemplate how we can practice speaking our minds with respect for others and with kindness, not hatred, in our hearts. Our capacity to do so is what sustains my hope for a better future.

Sincerely,

Janine Davidson, Ph.D.
President

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Our partners at the Auraria Higher Education Center are working diligently to safeguard the security of our community, and MSU Denver offers ongoing resources and support.

Campus Resources:

• Contact MSU Denver’s Office of Equal Opportunity to report and secure support following any instances of discrimination or otherwise concerning behavior.
• MSU Denver offers mental-health resources for those in need. Students can receive free and confidential mental-health assistance from the Counseling Center (303-615-9988), and group-based sessions may be available. The Health Center at Auraria has resources for students in need (303-615-9999; after hours, 303-615-9911), and the Student Care Center (303-615-0006) is also available to help.
• Faculty and staff members can access services and support through the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program. Call 303-866-4314 or complete the online form to make an appointment.
• Teaching and learning resources are also available to faculty members, including MSU Denver’s Dialogues Program for assistance with facilitation and Restorative Justice Coalition Events & Workshops. Additionally, information on educational workshops on conflict resolution can be found on the Student Conflict Resolution Services website.
• The Auraria Campus Police Department also offers a co-responder service to assist students, faculty members and staff members in connecting with behavioral-health resources and can be reached at 303-556-5000.