Student Advisory Committee Solidarity Statement

The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) of the BACCHUS Initiatives of NASPA represent the peer educators at hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States. Our team stands in solidarity with the work being done by students at the University of Virginia and elsewhere to opposes to hatred and racism. Rationalizing and tolerating hate is completely inconsistent with the work of peer educators and the example we hope to set for peer education groups everywhere.
 
The SAC are dedicated to uplifting all campuses around the world through inclusive promotion of all aspects of well-being. The demonstration of racism, hatred, and violence in Charlottesville, VA affects students' wellness in various dimensions – emotionally, mentally and socially. Kevin Kruger, the president of NASPA has said, "institutions must make special effort to publicize their actions to combat racism." As student leaders, we believe we have a responsibility to publicly condemn racism and support our community members. Many of our college student assemblies have done so as well (even if they are not listed in this link, many colleges have published on their own, like the William & Mary Student Assembly did). Of course, affirming diversity should not only be about making posts and promises, but this can be our first step/action as a group.
 
We have always believed that peer educators should be at the table as colleges and universities take action to build safe environments. Now peer educators are called to invest in campus work that is free of hatred and oppression, in addition to the traditional health and safety roles which have included helping prevent impaired driving and helping students make healthy decisions in their nutrition. The SAC have lived experiences of racism, and racial microaggressions. We stand together against white supremacy, against hatred and bigotry, and ready to make positive changes in our communities.