To Friends of the USF Center for Asia Pacific Studies: 

For over 30 years, the Center for Asia Pacific Studies at the University of San Francisco has worked to build bridges across the Pacific. Our guiding principle has always been to promote greater understanding of the peoples and cultures of the Asia Pacific region.

As our mission is to serve as San Francisco’s gateway to the Asia Pacific region and foster cross-cultural communication and understanding, we must now firmly denounce the alarming rise in incidents of harassment, hate, and racism targeting Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) across the United States. The shooting of eight people in Atlanta and the unprovoked attacks on senior citizens are two of the most tragic examples of these abhorrent acts, but they are far from the only such crimes historically committed against Asian Americans. 

We stand with the university’s message condemning all acts of harassment, hate speech, racism, and violence. 

We continue to recognize and honor members of the AAPI communities who are integral to our civic and cultural lives in the Bay Area, and to the center’s work in the Asia Pacific.

We stand in solidarity with those in our USF community who have experienced harassment and racist acts, and we want you to know that the Center for Asia Pacific Studies is a safe space that welcomes and supports you. 

We acknowledge that there is still more work to be done. We ask that you please stay tuned for information about events we’re planning with the goal of bringing our community together.

If, upon hearing about or experiencing these recent events, you find you need assistance, please remember that the university offers counseling and support services for students, faculty, and staff.

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) resource is available to students. CAPS staff can be reached at (415) 422-6352 or (415) 422-6351, or after hours at (855) 531-0761.

University Ministry support services are available to all community members, and can be reached at (415) 422-4463 or um@usfca.edu.

Faculty and staff members can also contact CONCERN, the university’s employee assistance program, at (800) 344-4222.

Sincerely,

The USF Center for Asia Pacific Studies