Reaffirming our respect and honor for the humanity of all people

Dear Harper College community,

I am deeply saddened by the horrific attacks by Hamas and the unfolding war in Israel and Gaza.

As I’ve shared before, we are committed to respecting and honoring the humanity of all people. Many members of our college community are deeply affected by these events, including students and colleagues with family and friends in the region. These tragedies are causing great anguish and weigh heavily on them. In recent days, I have heard from several of you about the profound pain you are experiencing. I hope a peaceful and lasting resolution to the violence and unrest can come to fruition in the near future.

I want to acknowledge the complex range of emotions and reactions our community is experiencing. Our college community is a richly diverse environment where people of many backgrounds and faiths gather to learn, teach and work. Let us come together to acknowledge our shared humanity and denounce all forms of violence and discrimination. Hate has no home at Harper.

I want to reiterate that your safety and well-being are of utmost priority. We have resources readily available if you need them:

• Students may contact Counseling Services and access support through online tools including WellTrack Boost and Togetherall, a new platform that offers free peer-to-peer mental health support at any time.
• Harper's wellness page includes numerous on- and off-campus resources related to mental health and overall well-being.

In addition, we are planning educational opportunities to advance our understanding of these events and engage in dialogue and civil discourse. More details will be shared when they are available.

My deepest sympathies to all those who are impacted and suffering. During these difficult and rapidly changing times, I urge you to take care of yourselves and support each other with empathy and compassion.

Forward together,

Dr. Avis Proctor

President, Harper College