Love and care are critical values in higher education and in spaces that center equity and diversity. These are not the terms that always come immediately to mind in moments of crisis, but they can be the values that help individuals, communities, and institutions navigate through unfathomable moments of deep trauma. We are living through such a moment.
Whether you are directly or indirectly impacted by the recent war between Israel and Hamas and/or trying to support community members, including students, staff, faculty, or alumni, it is our goal to help you identify the range of resources available to you.
During times of crisis and uncertainty, we recognize that our community seeks support, trauma-informed resources, and educational opportunities. Below, you will find information on systemwide and campus-specific resources that can address immediate needs or provide avenues to assist others.
We will continuously update this page as information becomes accessible. We encourage you to contribute by sharing any University of Minnesota resources or events with us via email at [email protected].
Supporting our communities in the wake of the Israel/Hamas War
Student Resources
Systemwide
Crookston
- Campus Equal Opportunity Offices
- Crookston Counseling Services
- Multicultural Education
Training, programming, and alliance opportunities - Report a Bias Incident
- Al-huda Islamic Center, East Grand Forks, MN
- Wellness Care Team
The Care Team is a multi-departmental committee that addresses issues related to student health and wellbeing and how it affects behavior on campus. The committee counsels on student concerns and creates actionable plans to connect students with resources and counsel faculty/staff in handling student needs and behavior.
Duluth
- Campus Equal Opportunity Offices
- Chabad, Duluth
- Duluth Counseling Services
- Hillel Duluth
- Islamic Center of the Twin Ports
- Multicultural Center
- Muslim Student Association of Duluth
- Office of Diversity and Inclusion
- Report a Bias Incident
Morris
- Campus Equal Opportunity Offices
- Equity and Diversity Committee
- Equity, Diversity & Intercultural Programs
- Equity, Diversity & Intercultural Resources
- International Student Program
- Jewish Student Union Campus Club
- Morris Student Counseling
- Muslim Student Association
- Report a Bias Incident
Rochester
- Black Student Union
- Campus Equal Opportunity Offices
- Chabad of Southern Minnesota
- Diversity Inclusion Committee
- Intercultural Student Center
- Intercultural Learning and Development Resources
- Intercultural Reading Resources
- Muslim Student Association
- Report a Bias Incident
- Rochester Counseling Services
- Students for Tibet Association Rochester
Twin Cities
Reporting, Safety, Mental Health, and Reflection Spaces
- Bias Response and Referral Network
- BIPOC Mental Health Collective
- Boynton Mental Health
- Boynton Health's Urgent & Crisis Counseling
Same-day counseling services are available for students experiencing urgent/crisis mental health concerns Monday - Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm; call 612-624-1444 or go to the 4th floor of the Boynton Health clinic, and a staff member will provide the next steps. - BeWell: A wellbeing Resource for the Health Sciences Student Community
- Campus Equal Opportunity Offices
- CFANS Wellness Navigator
- Let's Talk
Let’s Talk provides informal virtual and in-person drop-in consultations for U of M students throughout the academic year. No appointment is necessary, so you can drop in during the scheduled times. - Reflection Rooms in Wilson Library and Walter Library
- Resources for Students and Scholars During a Crisis in their Home Country from International Student and Scholar Services (ISS)
- Safe Campus
- Student Counseling Services
Associations, Groups, and Cultural Centers
- Al-Madinah Cultural Center
- American Indian Student Cultural Center (AISCC)
- Arab Student Association
- Asian-American Student Union (ASU)
- Asian Students Affinity Group
- BAAAM! – Black, African American, African Meeting Space
- BIPOC Health Professional Student Collective
- Black Student Union (BSU)
- Chabad at the University of Minnesota
- Chroma Collective Student Group, College of Design
An intentional space for BIPOC in the College of Design - Connexions International
- Design Justice Initiative
Resources from the College of Design, including the Design Justice Collective, course information, and more - Disabled Student Cultural Center (DSCC)
- Graduate and Professional Student Support Group
- International Student Support Group
- Jewish Student Affinity Group
This space invites students to gather and support one another in our experiences and identities as Jews to explore topics including but not limited to: our college experience, antisemitism, socio-political climate, culture, and community. To register, complete this sign-up form. - Mandarin-Speaking Student Support Group
- Mi Gente Latinx Student Cultural Center (Mi Gente)
- Minnesota Hillel
- Minnesota International Student Association (MISA)
- Multicultural Student Engagement
- Muslim Students Association
- Muslim Student Dental Association
- Muslim Medical Student Association
- Muslim Law Student Association
- Mu Upsilon (UMN) Chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity
- Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Student Affinity Group
This space invites students to gather and support one another in our experiences and identities as SWANA (South West Asian and North African), Palestinian, and/or Muslim students. Join us in this confidential space to support and share our experiences with events happening in Palestine, the Middle East, and elsewhere. This space is designed to create community and offer support in addressing our emotional and mental health needs, including experiences of Islamophobia and other forms of oppression and injustice. To register, complete this sign-up form. - Pláticas: Latinx Connection Space
- Queer Student Cultural Center (QSCC)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi Jewish Sorority
Faculty & Staff Resources
- Diversity Community of Practice
A systemwide grassroots community of faculty and staff - Employee Assistance Program
Provides confidential professional consultation and referral services to address any personal or work concern that may be affecting your wellbeing - Office for Conflict Resolution (OCR)
OCR provides formal and informal conflict resolution services to non-union-represented University faculty, staff, and students who are experiencing employment-related conflicts - Office for Equity & Diversity Education Program
- Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office
Responds to reports of discrimination and related retaliation through informal problem-solving or formal investigation - Safe Campus
- U of M Affinity Groups
Volunteer-run affinity groups
Educational Opportunities
- Center for Educational Innovation
Provides research-informed, transformative, and inclusive leadership in teaching and learning across the University of Minnesota system - Center for Jewish Studies
- Discussion Guide from the School of Public Health: Reckoning with Violence and Crises
- Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing
Virtual and in-person workshops, events, courses, and wellbeing series - Islamic Studies
- Listening Intentionally to Support Student Mental Health and Wellness
Video from the Office for Student Affairs - Equity & Diversity Education Program
- Making Effective Referrals
Video from the Office for Student Affairs covering best practices to assist faculty and staff in building their competence and confidence in supporting student mental health - Workplace Compassion Amid Conflict
Guide for leaders to support their employees
Collected Resources for Instructors
- Teaching in Times of Crisis
Vanderbilt University - Framework for Teaching Controversial Issues
Judy Pace - Trauma-Informed Teaching: Diversity and Inclusion
Indiana University Bloomington - Trauma-Informed Teaching
CSUF - Faculty Development Center - Teaching Materials on Antisemitism and Racism
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - Islamophobia is Racism
This resource was developed by the following individuals: NSu’ad Abdul Khabeer, Arshad Ali, Evelyn Alsultany, Sohail Daulatzai, Lara Deeb, Carol Fadda, Zareena Grewal, Juliane Hammer, Nadine Naber, and Junaid Rana - Bridging Differences Playbook
Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley
This resource provides research-based strategies to promote positive dialogue and understanding. - Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter?
Facing History & Ourselves
Provides ideas and tools designed to help educators prepare students to engage in civil discourse. - Facilitating Political Discussions
Institute for Democracy & Higher Education, Tufts University
A facilitator training workshop guide to train others in facilitating groups with diverse perspectives, social identities, and lived experiences. - Civil Discourse in the Classroom
American Association of University Professors
Provides guidance for college and university faculty members to build a learning environment that supports vigorous, respectful discourse. - Leading Inclusive Learning Environments During the War in the Middle East: Colleges and Universities Webinar
Featuring Department of Education experts and university leaders from across the country, this webinar presents civil rights laws and resources to help respond to the rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab hate, and other forms of discrimination. - Resources for Preventing and Addressing Antisemitism in Schools
Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, U.S. Department of Education - Resources for Preventing and Addressing Islamophobia in Schools
Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, U.S. Department of Education - Reports and Resources
Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education - Training and Advisory Services, Equity Assistance Centers
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education
Equity Assistance Centers (EACs) are funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide technical assistance and training, upon request, in the areas of race, sex, national origin, and religion to public school districts and other responsible governmental agencies to promote equitable education opportunities.
Freedom of Expression
University Policy
Several policies at the University of Minnesota reaffirm students’ right to free expression.
Board of Regents Policy: Academic Freedom and Responsibility
Academic freedom is the freedom, without institutional discipline or restraint, to discuss all relevant matters in the classroom, to explore all avenues of scholarship, research, and creative expression, and to speak or write on matters of public concern as well as on matters related to professional duties and the functioning of the University.Board of Regents policy: Student Conduct Code
The Student Conduct Code governs the conduct of all University of Minnesota students. Students rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment is key feature of the Code’s guiding principles.Board of Regents policy: Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct applies to Regents, administrators, staff, and faculty. It further establishes the University’s commitment to promoting academic freedom and responsibility for all staff, faculty and Regents.
Protesting and Planning and Event
Given that the University of Minnesota is a public institution, it cannot unreasonably limit students’ First Amendment rights. Learn about protesting at the U of M.
Before planning an event, we encourage reading through the University’s policies regarding event management and planning. Learn about planning an event at the U of M.