June 2, 2020
Letter from Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Thomas Lane
Dear K-State Community,
Over the past few weeks, I have watched recent national events with a sense of horror, sorrow, anger and frustration. The violence, prejudice and bigotry rooted in racism is a burden the black community has been forced to endure for far too long and for far too many generations in the U.S.
As a white male with a significant amount of unearned privilege, I can never truly understand racism's pain and anguish experienced by black and brown people in our country, our state, our city or our university. What I can do is listen with empathy and learn from the lived experiences of our students of color and continue to educate myself and others on what it means to be antiracist. Based upon that learning, I can work to help ensure a campus community where black and brown students know and feel they matter and they belong.
Over the past several months, the Division of Student Life has worked to develop a strategic plan for how it can best serve our current and future students. One of the plan's five goals calls for representing and advocating for the underserved, those who might be victims of hatred or prejudice, and whose voices might be silenced and not heard. By doing so, Student Life hopes to help foster a campus of compassion, equity and empathy. The tragic events over the last few weeks, and the racism that has existed and continues, highlight this goal's importance and timeliness.
Finally, for students currently experiencing individual trauma, anxiety or pain, you are not alone. There are supportive Student Life resources you can turn to.
Our Counseling Services team is available via tele-mental health.
Our Office of Student Life is here to support you and connect you with resources.
Our Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs staff is offering virtual space for care and support.
As always, please know you can contact me anytime at talane@k-state.edu. My heart is with you and I look forward to seeing you on campus this fall.
Sincerely,
Thomas Lane
Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students