Supporting Those Affected by the Crisis in the Middle East

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

I share the grief and horror felt by so many in our community following the unprecedented wave of violence and brutality that was experienced by civilians in Israel and Gaza this weekend. The scenes of human anguish being shared are both unfathomable and heartbreaking.

First and foremost, as a university community, we denounce violence, terrorism and extremism — in all its forms.

Events of this magnitude can be overwhelming and impact each person differently. During these moments, our community is at its strongest when we support one another.

To this end, Student Affairs has been proactively checking in with students and student groups who we know are from the impacted region or who might be affected. Our Student Support Resources team and Counseling and Psychological Services are also ready to support any student in need, and similar support is available to faculty and staff via our Employee Assistance Program.

If you are hurting, please lean on those you find most helpful — such as family, friends, community groups or faith leaders. If you know someone who is hurting, consider reaching out to them to express your genuine care and concern for their well-being. These simple connections can carry profound meaning and importance.

At Carnegie Mellon, we view respectful, informed and open dialogue as one of humanity’s best tools for bridging deep divides. In the days ahead, and as this intensely volatile crisis in the Middle East unfolds, I encourage you to be especially mindful of how we are treating each other and continue to prioritize empathy, compassion and respect.

Farnam Jahanian
President
Henry L. Hillman President’s Chair

Updated on October 10, 2023