The following statement was issued to the campus community from Eastern Washington University Leadership on May 31:
Dear Campus Community:
Mary Cullinan
As president and leaders of Eastern Washington University, we are outraged and overwhelmingly appalled by the tragic event of George Floyd’s death.
As former President Obama said last week, this shouldn’t be ‘normal’ in 2020 America: “It falls on all of us, regardless of our race or station . . . to work together to create a ‘new normal’ in which the legacy of bigotry and unequal treatment no longer infects our institutions or our hearts.”
Eastern Washington University has been, and continues to be, committed to building this new normal. We are partners for change. While we may occasionally stumble and fall short in these efforts, we will relentlessly pursue the goal of a campus and a country defined by equality, equity, and inclusion.
For members of the black community: we see you. We hear you and feel your anguish and the extra trauma you carry in these troubling times.
As leaders of our Eastern community, our hearts ache for everyone affected by these recent tragic events. United by hurt and outrage, we stand together as a university community against injustice, inequality, and racism.
President
Julia Smith
President, Faculty Organization
Lloyd Dees
President, ASEWU, AY 2020-21
David May
Provost
Shari Clarke
VP, Diversity & Inclusion
Mary Voves
VP, Business & Finance
Rob Sauders
VP, Student Affairs
Barb Richey
VP, Advancement
The following statement was issued to the campus community from the EWU Police Department on June 1:
Dear Campus Community,
Respectfully, Chief Tim Walters
As Eastern’s Chief of Police, I am appalled and sickened by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis. The disregard for the life of Mr. Floyd has left all of us in our community, including our officers, infuriated and shocked by the actions of a few officers. Mr. Floyd’s death is a painful reminder to all who strive for justice of the work that remains before us.
Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to earn and keep the trust of our campus community. We are committed to stay the course of our mission and values to continually work in partnership with our diverse campus so together we can foster trust. It’s okay to support law enforcement and also condemn officers who tarnish the badge and abuse their powers.
Our values at EWUPD include treating all people fairly and with respect, while providing fair, impartial and professional community-based policing by exemplifying the highest standard of conduct.
It is imperative that we not let the violence and destruction distract us from the real challenge before us. Our law enforcement community will need to embrace the concerns and criticism that are being given voice during these protests, and reexamine our approach and work tirelessly to earn and keep the trust of the community we serve.
Please reach out to me or any of our officers if you have suggestions on how the EWU Police Department can serve the campus community more effectively.
