Message from Provost Cyril Clarke: Support for our Indian and South Asian Community

Dear colleagues,

News reports and images that have come out of India and South Asia this past week have clearly shown us that the COVID-19 pandemic is still having a devastating effect on many countries around the world. We are truly saddened by the current situation in India and the emotional impact it is having on our Indian and South Asian students, faculty, and staff. For our Muslim community who call this region of the world home, the situation is especially difficult as they observe the holy month of Ramadan.

Our university community extends far beyond the physical boundaries of our campuses. The tremendous challenges and mental stresses experienced by those students who call India and South Asia home require our full support, especially at this critical time in the academic year. Virginia Tech is committed to providing services and resources for these students, and all members of our international community, through the dedicated teams in the Cranwell International Center, Dean of Students Office, Graduate School, and Cook Counseling Center. The staff and leadership of these units are ready to offer care, advocacy, and assistance along with providing support for academic assistance requests for affected students.

As our Indian and South Asian students approach the end of the semester and prepare for final exams, I would ask faculty for their compassion, understanding, and flexibility as these students deal with the dire situation facing their families and communities back home. We should also recognize that affected students may be dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their families through the summer and well into the fall semester. Many of these students had plans to return home after the spring semester, but may be unable to do so due to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements. Please be sensitive to their needs and circumstances and offer to connect them with Dean of Students Office, Cranwell International Center, Asian Cultural Engagement Center, and/or Indian Students Association, who can advise and guide students with hardships to a number of university services and resources.

Our Indian and South Asian students, faculty, and staff are an important and highly-valued part of the Virginia Tech community. Please join me in offering them your support and advocacy during this difficult time for them and their families.

Cyril