June 2016, Issue 6
Message from VPSA
Sam Gonzales
Now (and Forever)
This week, the leaders of the Student Government Association worked with Dr. Romo on a special monument lighting of rainbow colors honoring the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida. I want to extend my thanks to the officers of SGA for their diligence and thought into our community’s reflection about the tragedy. We are devastated by the violence and the hate. We stand for inclusion and understanding and we must not be silent on things that matter (to quote Dr. King).
The Student Center for Community Engagement and Inclusion wrote this post. I am sharing it as a reflection for all of us.
Now is the time — to educate, to inspire and to support our students.
- Take the time to educate yourself and others around you about identities, differences and similarities.
- Take time to get to know people and the multiple aspects of our identities.
- It is with understanding and acceptance that we reach a place of peace.
Now is the time to support our students, to reach a place of understanding of the diverse perspectives that they bring to our campuses, and embrace the multiple aspects of their identities. Some aspects will be visible while others are invisible, so to do so demands an approach of true listening, care and connection. It is something that I believe UTSA does very well.
Now is the time to get to know our students. Now is the time to embrace who they are as individuals. Now is the time to show them the best of Roadrunner Nation. As we continue to foster an environment of inclusion, we strengthen our community — Now and Forever.
Best wishes,
Sam
We Are UTSA! We Are Student Affairs!