NEWS IN BRIEF

Listening Session explores aftermath of Tyre Nichols’ death

Following the release of video footage of the death of Tyre Nichols, the Inclusive Excellence, Education and Development Hub hosted a listening session to give members of the SIUE community a place to share their thoughts.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Excellence, Education and Development Lindy Wagner, who facilitated the discussion, began the discussion by reminding attendees not to tokenize or single out BIPOC attendees.

“This is not an opportunity for our Black and Brown students to educate the uneducated,” Wagner said.

Jessica Harris, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion said for her, it was an opportunity to take a pause and a deep breath in community with others who needed the same opportunity to process the events of the past month. Attendees shared feelings in the aftermath of the video’s release that included fear, anger, disappointment and numbness. One issue brought up was campus police wearing ‘Back the Blue’ memorabilia.

Jessica Ulrich, director of Counseling Services, shared apps to block certain social media apps to avoid triggering content, and for self-care including Insight Timer, Calm, Headspace, Stop and Breath Relax. She also shared self-care strategies such as taking breaks from consuming news content, getting plenty of sleep, avoiding excessive alcohol and drug use and connecting with others through community or faith-based organizations.

Harris thanked attendees for listening to one another, and said moments of community like these are needed more often.

01.25.23

Knives were found in Evergreen Hall.

A debit card was found in the MUC.

01.26.23

An offensive sticker was found on the wall of a staircase in the 500 wing of the Cougar Lake Apartments. BIRT was notified.

01.27.23

A traffic accident was reported in Parking Lot 5H. A 3D printer was reported missing in the Engineering Building.

01.28.23

A hit and run was reported in Parking Lot 7.

01.30.23

A Samsung phone was found in the MUC.