College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

Increasing anti-Asian sentiments and violence in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, including the horrific mass-shooting in Atlanta targeting Asian women, create fear, anger and mistrust for many people in a time already filled with frustration and unprecedented challenges.  Thus, these events continue to negatively affect the daily lives of MSU faculty, staff and students.  Recently, President S. L. Stanley, Provost T. K. Woodruff, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer J. R. Bennett, along with Diversity Research Network Director D. Johnson, the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA)/Asian Faculty and Staff Association, and many others have shared their concerns and experiences, and urged everyone at MSU to collectively fight against racism and discrimination in all its forms and guises (https://president.msu.edu/communications/messages-statements/2020_statements/2021-03-17-supporting-apida-and-asian-communities.html).  Furthermore, the administration of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources similarly condemns such actions, and pledges to support those in the MSU community whom have been marginalized (https://www.canr.msu.edu/about/Statements-from-leadership/message-from-canr-leadership-march-26-2021).

The Department of Horticulture and other academic units in our College are home to a diverse community of students, staff and faculty from wide ranging backgrounds and life experiences.  As such, I urge you to think of those whom may be affected by these recent events, and consider reaching out to them to offer support.  Individually and as a unified group, we must reassure our friends and colleagues that we are here to help support one another in both good and bad times -- fostering a community where everyone can feel safe and welcome.  If you have concerns to express or suggestions to offer, or just want to talk to someone, please reach out to the department chairperson, or your supervisor or advisor/mentor.

Additional resources to those listed/described in the letters from President Stanley et al. and Dean Hendrick et al. linked above.

For students

• Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) staff have been hosting a monthly “Listening Space” for APIDA/A students who would like to share and connect about their experiences in a Zoom environment.  All domestic, international, and multiracial/multiethnic students are welcome: https://caps.msu.edu/_assets/2021SpringAPIDAListeningSpace.pdf  

For faculty and staff

• The Office of Cultural & Academic Traditions (OCAT) https://ocat.msu.edu .  They may archive a recording of their recent Green Table chat “We are APIDA” (from March 26) https://ocat.msu.edu/ocats-green-table/  (this APIDA Heritage Month edition centers the experience of APIDA student leaders as they navigate an anti-Asian pandemic environment).