October 24, 2023

Dear NYU Community Members,

The Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation (OGI) remains committed to acting in solidarity with our community. We know that many members of the NYU community are concerned, upset, angry, hurt, sorrowful, grief-stricken, and also worried about safety. OGI—working in conjunction with senior leadership and other partners—will continue to offer support to those affected by the devastation caused by ongoing war and conflict.

The NYU Office of the President, Trustees, and the Office of the Provost continue to provide direction as we all traverse these difficult times. They have issued several statements, including information about safety and available resources. As our Provost has written, some members of our community are “worried that they may become—or already are—targets of harassment or worse, based on who they are or what they believe. Harassment goes against everything we stand for as a university.” We, in OGI, continue to work with NYU’s Campus Safety and Student Affairs teams. Last week, the dean of students sent a letter to students denouncing any and all forms of harassment and intimidation and provided resources to address these issues. It is important that our students—and our entire community—regardless of background, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and religious affiliation—know that while we value academic freedom and freedom of speech as core values, NYU unequivocally condemns antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and any other form of bias or discrimination. In case of a threat or any violence, contact the NYPD via 9-1-1 and NYU Campus Safety at their hotline: 212-998-2222. Should you wish to report an incident of bias or discrimination of any sort, please contact the NYU Bias Response Line.

To consult on individual classroom needs or to request or recommend other resources, please contact the Learning Experience Design team at the Office of Provost (teaching@nyu.edu). Additionally, our libraries have a wealth of resources for those interested in researching more about current and historical events. The Center for Global Spiritual Life (including NYU Hillel and The Islamic Center at NYU) and Student Affairs have worked together to offer trainings, including Jewish Ally Zone and Muslim Ally Zone, for all members of our community. OGI also continues to offer a wide array of resources and trainings. OGI has compiled guides for navigating difficult conversations that can be adapted to a range of contemporary crises: On Academic Freedom and Difficult Conversations in the Classroom and Addressing Contemporary Issues and Crises in the Classroom or Office. We held a university-wide Faculty Difficult Dialogues Institute earlier this year. We also continue to partner with Right to Be and other NYU partners to offer bystander intervention workshops and to expand workshops specifically related to antisemitic and Islamophobic harassment.

As is noted in other correspondence, students may also find 24/7 support through the Wellness Exchange, and resources are available to employees through the Employee Assistance Program and EAB, which has been expanded to meet the needs of employees. National higher education organizations such as the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), American Association of Colleges and University (AACU), Association of Governing Boards (AGB), Pen America, and others continue to provide tools and resources for members of higher education institutions. We encourage all members to draw upon the many resources across the University and from our other partners across higher education.

As we are all aware, the ongoing reality is that there are many on our campus who hold strong views. We will continue to underscore the importance of learning, academic freedom, anti-bias work, community care, and engaging resources that attempt to address the safety concerns, pain, and suffering that many feel. As we all navigate through the events that are occurring, we hope for a de-escalation of violence and movement toward peace. Across OGI, we will continue to work with senior leadership and others to provide resources for members of our community directly and indirectly impacted by the tragedies of war.

In community,

Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation