Dear Horned Frogs,
The events of this past week have filled me with deep sadness. Our black and marginalized students, faculty and staff are hurting, as are many others in our community. Our campus community is bewildered, angered, outraged and sorrowful over the tragic death of George Floyd.
It can be difficult, but not impossible, to discuss issues of race, violence and privilege in America. We can and must have these important and valuable conversations. We also must identify and implement solutions. I know many are hurting and while I do not have the same lived experiences, I will do my part to make our campus community a welcoming place for all. We will respect, honor and value each person on this campus because inclusion is a defining hallmark of our culture.
Our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts remain underway, including our work to integrate DEI into our core curriculum and develop new diversity training for our students, faculty and staff. We are diversifying and training campus hiring committees to achieve more diverse candidate pools and a more diverse campus community. We are implementing TCU R.I.S.E. (Responsible for Inclusion and Sustaining Excellence Certificate), a program designed to increase campus members’ ability to navigate cultural conflict and interrupt structural and systemic issues of power, privilege and oppression.
As an institution of higher learning, we have a sacred duty to lift up differences of thought and opinion. We firmly support freedom of speech for all members of our campus community. Our mission is to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community. When we achieve that mission, it is only then that we can become a force for the greater good.
I promise to join you in trying to make the world a better place through my own actions. Each of us has a responsibility to collectively transform our communities and stand together against racism and violence.
While we are making important changes that will help us improve our community, these solutions do not stop our pain right now. I see it reflected in the emails, calls and texts I have received from so many of you as well as our alumni. You are not alone. I love and care for each of you deeply and today, I join my voice with yours.
Sincerely,
Victor J. Boschini, Jr.