LHU President Offers Thoughts on LHU Approach to Social Justice

LOCK HAVEN – Lock Haven University President Dr. Robert Pignatello on Tuesday released to the university community a “message to the Haven Family” relative to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the events that followed. His message:

Dear Campus Community,

As we continue to deal with an insidious pandemic and its impact, our nation is now gripped by a more disturbing crisis. Jarred by the chilling scenes of George Floyd’s killing while in police custody, we are confronted by systemic injustice that must be righted, widespread protests for change, and violent unrest across our land. We are a nation in great pain.

There are no words to describe the collective horror and disbelief at what we saw in Minneapolis. This is something unfortunately too familiar—an incident like many we have seen perpetrated recently and through the years upon persons of color in our country. At the same time, we see those suffering disproportionately from natural disasters, like COVID-19 and an inequitable justice system that serves as an imperative for change.

We commend and join, with courage and conviction, those peaceful but insistent voices raised in protest across the country, and indeed, around the world who have said, in unison … “enough.”

We stand by persons of good will who lend their voices and exercise their constitutional right to peacefully protest and forcefully argue at this poignant moment in American history to say, and to insist, that we are better than this. We must reject violence, hate, and racism and promote understanding and compassion for each other.

Through this all, we cannot escape the importance of education and its role in cultivating the capacity to foster and insist upon equity, dignity and respect for all. Nor can we ignore the powerful role of education in minimizing inequities of circumstances that impose vulnerability upon too many.

At Lock Haven University, we strive to promote social justice and create ladders of opportunity for all persons – regardless of their socioeconomic standing, nationality, religion, gender, color, race, creed, or any of the many descriptors that suggest we are less alike than we are similar.

These inequities remind us of how necessary it is for individuals and organizations to address the needs of marginalized communities. In January 2020, LHU commissioned a Task Force on Inclusion, Diversity, Civility, and Freedom of Expression to examine obstacles and barriers that interfere with creating and maintaining an inclusive campus experience and climate for all and to examine current policies and practices that impact our campus climate toward greater equity and inclusion. The Task Force, which includes, faculty, staff, students, and a member of our Council of Trustees, is continuing its work throughout the summer in order to create actionable recommendations to help improve our university for all members of our community.

There is an understandable heavy emotional toll many are feeling right now. We are a Haven family. We care about you and are here for you. If you are in need of help, there are support services available to you including LHU’s Counseling Center which is providing confidential counseling using Zoom or phone appointments. Please contact sbirdsey@lockhaven.edu or 570-484-2479 to schedule an appointment.

I encourage you to reach out to me at president@lockhaven.edu to express your thoughts and offer your point of view regarding how LHU can be a better example of inclusion and equity.

Let us not miss this opportunity to advocate for the dignity and equitable treatment of all of our citizens.

Stay safe and very best wishes to you.

Sincerely,
Robert M. Pignatello, President