Dear UCSF Community,

There has been an alarming increase in assaults against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and we strongly condemn these racially motivated attacks.

Anti-Asian sentiment spiked across the country at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, spurred by those who promote conspiracy theories and xenophobia, and we are now seeing a disturbing resurgence. Racial violence and harassment targeting this community has skyrocketed in recent weeks, striking some of the most vulnerable among us—seniors in the Bay Area. Tragically, an 84-year-old Thai man was fatally attacked in San Francisco and a 91-year-old man sustained grave injuries from an attack in Oakland’s Chinatown.

UCSF’s commitment to anti-racism in all its forms demands that we stand up for all members of our broader community. We stand in solidarity with the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus and support their lead in calling out these injustices and protecting one another.

Recently, President Biden signed an executive order calling for greater protections for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and condemning the wave of racism and xenophobia that accompanied the pandemic. We applaud his leadership and will continue our aligned work through the UCSF Anti-Racism Initiative.

The spate of racist violence in our community in recent weeks has been unsettling. For those who may benefit from counseling and support, please seek out these UCSF resources:

• Student Health & Counseling
  (415) 476-1281
• Faculty Staff Assistance Program
  (415) 476-8279

This weekend, as many celebrate the beginning of the Lunar New Year and observe the Presidents Day holiday, we hope that everyone will find time to rest and recharge. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to each other and to our work of serving our communities together.

Sincerely,

Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Chancellor
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Distinguished Professor

J. Renée Navarro, PharmD, MD
Vice Chancellor, Office of Diversity and Outreach
Chief Diversity Officer
Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care