Resolution of the Faculty Senate of Virginia on Violence and Racism against Asian American and Pacific Islanders Communities
Whereas representing the faculty of higher education institutions across the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Faculty Senate of Virginia (FSVA) values diversity, equality, peace, and justice,
Whereas recent violence against Asians and Asian Americans during the COVID pandemic, including shootings at Asian-owned businesses in Atlanta where six of eight shooting victims were Asian women, has inspired fear in the Asian American community,
Whereas
violence,
racism,
and
discrimination
against
Asians
and
Asian
Americans
are
deep-rooted,
long-lasting,
and
overlooked
by
society,
Whereas
the
systemic
and
invisible
racism
and
discrimination
against
Asians
and
Asian
Americans
and
Pacific
Islanders
have
affected
every
aspect
of
American
life
including
in
American
higher
education,
Be it resolved that We, the FSVA, strongly condemn the violence and racism against Asians and Asian American and Pacific Islanders and urge each higher education institution in Virginia (1) to denounce officially anti-Asian violence, rhetoric and actions, and racism, (2) to take steps to ensure all students, faculty, and staff members of Asian descent feel both safe and welcome in their university/college community, (3) to ensure any case of hatred, bias, or discrimination against any person of Asian descent is promptly reported, fully investigated, and effectively corrected, and (4) to confirm there is no bias or discrimination against people of Asian descent in faculty and staff hiring, salary and benefits, work support, evaluation, and promotion including to leadership positions.
Be it further resolved that We, the FSVA, urge the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to endorse the American Council of Learned Societies' call for "educators, lawmakers, and community leaders to take this moment to listen closely to Asian and Asian-American voices and work with them in stemming this latest scourge of prejudice and violence."
And be it finally resolved that We, the FSVA, join other professional organizations in the call for all Americans-especially our political, economic, and community leaders-to work diligently to address anti-Asian racism and immediately seek measures to eradicate it.