Office of the Provost

Support for our Students

Our Dear Huskies:

As the violence in Israel and Gaza continues to have a devastating impact on members of the Jewish and Palestinian communities, as well as others, we are mindful, understanding, and supportive of how this situation has affected many of you, your families, and friends. As this crisis unfolds, it is imperative that we embrace a shared commitment to support one another in a manner that uplifts our collective humanity and demonstrates our empathy and care for each other as members of our UConn community.

We recognize that each of you may be experiencing this conflict in your own way. In these challenging times, we must show empathy for one another and find ways to thrive together. As you are supporting others, please do ensure that you are getting the support you need. Be mindful of your limits, engage in activities that help to ground you, and seek out opportunities when helpful to enhance your understanding of this crisis.

To this end, we want to remind you of the resources available to you:

In recent days we have seen a slight increase in bias referrals as well as other reports of concern for the wellbeing of members of our community. We want to be clear that, while we support free expression of ideas and perspectives, we do not approve of acts of bias and hate that target our students, faculty, or staff members. Please know that we take any such reported incidents very seriously, and any violations of the law or the Student Code of Conduct will be addressed with disciplinary measures and law enforcement where appropriate. Bias acts are unacceptable and directly counter to the values of our institution. Please be mindful of the impact your actions can have on others.

At UConn, we have many scholars who can guide us to a better understanding of the histories, politics, and cultures of Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East. You will hear more about planned events in the coming days, including a teach-in at the Stamford campus and a guest speaker joining our university community by videoconference in November.

We are here to support all of our UConn students throughout your educational experience and especially in times of crisis. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us if you feel you need resources that are not identified here, or with any thoughts, concerns, or suggestions.

Thank you,

Anne D’Alleva

Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Frank Tuitt

Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer

Fany Hannon

Interim Dean of Students