The University campus is challenged this spring by the U.S. war against Iraq to be the respectful, educational and inclusive community that we are. For many, this is our first emotional experience of war; for others, it is an all-too-familiar repetition of the conflicting emotions that accompany war’s loss of life and destruction of land, people and place.
Although we are thankfully, to date, free from first-hand experiences of war or terrorism, we are involved and affected in many ways.
Among us are individuals with a family member in the war — perhaps on the battlefield, perhaps in a support role. They have been displaced, and we feel displaced, by the sudden changes in their lives and the risks they are taking on a daily basis to support this war.
Among us are students, faculty, staff and their families whose geographic origins are the lands where war is taking place. These members of our community are witnessing the possible destruction as well as liberation of their soil, their landscape, their families and their heritage.
Among us are community members passionately opposed to war, and others passionately convinced that this war must be fought to protect what we hold dear for ourselves and others.
Some of us have spiritual alliances or religious beliefs that feel challenged or unwelcome because of this war.
Some of us are members of the military, with daily obligations that contribute to this country’s military capability.
Some of us may be from a country whose identity has been bruised by sharp international rhetoric as nations try to sort out the right thing to do and the right way to proceed.
In the midst of these anxious times, we remain a community with high standards for discourse, tolerance, respect and diversity. We need to stay committed to the ideals that frame our campus community, and to support the diversity of opinions, ideas and backgrounds that are the lifeblood of the university.
We need to offer support to others, to affirm the dignity and essential worth of all individuals. We need to proceed with our educational activities, mindful that while these fierce battles rage toward some resolution, we have work to do here on a campus that rejects bigotry, discrimination, violence or intimidation of any kind.
There are resources on our campus to help us through these difficult times. We can help each other, and we can refer each other to these professional resources. Together, we can provide comfort, guidance, information and support during the challenges of a divided and quarrelsome world.
If you need support, the following resource offices may be helpful:
* University Counseling Center — 346-3227
* Employee Assistance Program — 345-2800
* International Student and Scholar Services — 346-3206
* Religious Directors Association — 343-7021
* Office of Student Life — 346-3216
* Department of Public Safety —
346-5444
* Eugene Police Department —
346-682-5111
* Bias Response Team — 346-1139