Dear Students:

The end of our academic year is a tense time for many students in the University of Michigan family.

Final exams, papers, projects and reports can be very stressful, and we wanted to reach out to all of you to share information about the resources that are available to help.

Adding to the stress this year at U-M is the severe political rhetoric associated with the upcoming national election. Last week and again yesterday, anti-Islam messages were written in chalk on our Diag. These messages are repugnant and hurtful to members of our community.

As the President of the University of Michigan and the President of Central Student Government, we stand together against hate. While we also recognize that messages – however hurtful – can be protected legally and under policies that include our Freedom of Speech and Artistic Expression, the anti-Islam messages were inconsistent with the university’s values of respect, civility and equality. Targeted attacks against groups of people are hateful and serve only to tear apart our university community.

At the end of this note is a list of U-M resources that can provide help to any students as the semester comes to a close. Please do not hesitate to use these resources if you need them.

We support all students – especially during this difficult time. Many students have also spoken out against hateful messages and offered support to one another. This level of support is indicative of our values as members of the U-M family. Every student deserves the opportunity to thrive and feel welcome at the University of Michigan.

Sincerely,

Mark S. Schlissel
President, University of Michigan

Cooper Charlton
President, Central Student Government

Resource list:

• For immediate response and assistance, contact the University of Michigan Police Department at 763-1131. Call 911 in an emergency.
• Counseling and Psychological Services
  • CAPS counselors are available to assist students during regular business hours; a student can walk in to CAPS (3^rd Floor, Michigan Union) and ask to speak with the counselor-on-duty. After regular business hours, students can call (734) 764-8312 to reach after-hours urgent support.
  • If you are in immediate crisis, please call 911 or UM Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) at (734) 936-5900

• Bias Response Team
  • A report of a bias incident can be made by calling (734) 615-BIAS (2427) [during regular business hours] or can be made online at: https://urespect.umich.edu/topic/report-incident. All messages will be responded to on the next business day.

• Dean of Students Office
  • A Dean of Students staff member is available during regular business hours to assist students who are experiencing anything that is interrupting their campus life. Staff members provide support, identify available resources, and connect students with community and campus services that may be helpful. The Dean of Students Office can be reached via email at deanofstudents@umich.edu; by calling (734) 764-7420; or by visiting 3000 Michigan Union.

• Wolverine Support Network
  • The Wolverine Support Network (WSN) is a student-led peer support program developed by Central Student Government leaders in collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). WSN is designed to empower students to create a safe community in support of mental well-being and identity development. The WSN meets weekly for approximately 60-90 minutes; each session is led by peer leaders and is designed as a space for students to discuss day-to-day stressors and other issues they face.
  • Students interested in joining the Wolverine Support Network can sign up at http://bit.ly/WSNMember.

• SafeRide
  • A free service for students, faculty, and staff who live within a one mile radius of campus.  This service is available Monday–Sunday from 2:00am – 7:00am.  To use this service, an MCard must be presented.  Riders can be picked up at the Shapiro Undergraduate Library, the Duderstadt Center, or the Cancer Center. To request a ride, call (734) 647-8000.