Dear Campus Community:
It has been a week and my heart continues to ache from the impact of the tragic event that occurred in Orlando, FL this past Sunday. Many in our country and campus community are in pain and are mourning during this national tragedy. Last week, a gunman targeted and murdered patrons of Pulse, a gay bar in Orlando, as they were celebrating their communities, friendships, and pride. LGBTQ communities, Latinx communities, Muslim communities, have felt and continue to feel the ripples of this tragic act of hate.
I want to acknowledge and thank LGBT Campus Center and University Health Services – Counseling and Consultation Services their leadership in creating spaces for healing, fellowship and community this past week. For some of us, it may be some time until we are able to fully heal from the trauma that these events have caused.
Please continue to find support and solace in each other and your communities. The LGBT Campus Center (https://lgbt.wisc.edu), the Multicultural Student Center (https://msc.wisc.edu), the Dean of Students Office (https://doso.wiscweb.wisc.edu/) and University Health Services (http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/services/counseling/) continue to be available as safe spaces and strong resources.
Everyone deserves a safe, inclusive space to be and celebrate their most authentic selves. Even in times of great despair and pain, my hope is that we can continue to be in solidarity together to create these spaces here at UW-Madison.
Lori M. Berquam
Vice Provost and Dean of Students