June 5, 2020
Dear Students,
The faculty and staff of the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning are horrified and saddened by the brutal killing of George Floyd by police and by the continued violence and injustice perpetrated against Black individuals and communities. We stand with the Black community and all people of color.
Black Lives Matter.
Collectively we are committed to offering support and action toward greater equity and justice for communities of color in our local community, at the University of Arizona and in all the cities and environments shaped by our professions. To do this we acknowledge that historically our professions have not always been on the right side of racial justice and that we must work to right past wrongs as we educate a new generation of professionals.
All acts of hatred, racism and violence threaten fundamental human values of equal justice, freedom, wellbeing and dignity for all. Our school mission to prepare students for practice has become even more focused as we stand by recent statements put forward by the American Planning Association, Association of Collegiate Schools in Planning, American Society of Landscape Architects, American Institute of Architects, National Trust for Historic Preservation and Urban Land Institute with galvanized values to protect the rights of all persons regarding equitable access to natural and built environments, safe and healthful communities and public amenities.
We are discussing ways that programmatic directions and curricular innovations can build on past success to advance the topics of equity, poverty, race, diversity and inclusion. We are searching our souls to find the answers. We want to hear your ideas on how to make more humane, inclusive, safe and just futures for all.
Please send your ideas to Laura Jensen, program coordinator, at lvjensen@arizona.edu. We are eager to work with you.
We want you to know that if you need any services such counseling, the University of Arizona offers the following resources:
- Counseling and Psych Services
- Dean of Students Office
- Student Wellness
- African American Student Affairs
Together with the members of the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning faculty and staff, I pledge to work toward a more just and equitable future.
Sincerely,
Lauri Macmillan Johnson
Professor of Landscape Architecture
Director, School of Landscape Architecture and Planning