The following statement was issued Sept. 28 by Chancellor Gary S. May; Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Mary Croughan; Jean-Pierre Delplanque, vice provost and dean of Graduate Studies; David Lubarsky, vice chancellor for Human Health Sciences and chief executive officer of UC Davis Health; John Marx, interim vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Education; Pablo G. Reguerín, vice chancellor of Student Affairs; Joanna Regulska, vice provost and dean of Global Affairs; and Renetta Garrison Tull, vice chancellor of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

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In recent weeks, Iran has experienced widespread unrest in cities throughout the country, where protests have erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini. We are deeply saddened by the death of Ms. Amini and those who have lost their lives while protesting in Iran. Last week, the UC Davis Iranian Student Association held a memorial service for Ms. Amini.

UC Davis is committed to upholding fundamental human rights. We affirm the dignity inherent in all of us and strive to maintain a climate of equity and justice. We stand against the use of violence, repression and discrimination.

Our thoughts are with our community members and others throughout the world who have connections to the region and who are worried about their families and loved ones. We also know that many UC Davis students and employees are facing challenges and obstacles to communicating with family and friends in Iran and this, of course, can cause a lot of anxiety and stress.

For our community members impacted by the unrest in Iran, UC Davis has resources available via Aggie Mental Health for students and ASAP for employees.

We encourage you to reach out and support one another with compassion.

In support,

Gary S. May
Chancellor

Mary Croughan
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Jean-Pierre Delplanque
Vice Provost and Dean
Graduate Studies

David Lubarsky
Vice Chancellor
Human Health Sciences
CEO, UC Davis Health

John Marx
Interim Vice Provost and Dean
Undergraduate Education

Pablo G. Reguerín
Vice Chancellor
Student Affairs

Joanna Regulska
Vice Provost and Dean
Global Affairs

Renetta Garrison Tull
Vice Chancellor
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Resources

For students

• You may find that talking to someone is helpful in processing everything you are going through. There are a variety of mental health resources available for students on the Aggie Mental Health website. Appointments are available with Counseling Services to all registered students in the U.S. For students in the School of Medicine and Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, see also resources from the Office of Student Wellness.  
• The Iranian Student Association is a registered student organization. Visit their Facebook page to connect with them and learn about how they are supporting the Iranian community. 
• UC Davis international students: For questions about your visa, traveling outside the U.S. or other related questions, please make an appointment with your international student advisor in Services for International Students and Scholars within Global Affairs.
• For domestic and international students looking to find community, the Middle Eastern, North African and South Asian Student Resources office is here to support you. Make an appointment with the director to talk in person or over Zoom.

For faculty, staff and scholars

• The Academic and Staff Assistance Program offers confidential and cost-free assessment, counseling, consultation and referral services to all UC Davis and UC Davis Health faculty, staff and families. For scholars located in Davis, please call 530-752-2727 for an appointment. For scholars in Sacramento, please call 916-734-2727 for an appointment. In addition, mental health support is available in the form of in-person meetings and Zoom drop-in support groups.
• UC Davis international scholars: For questions about your visa, traveling outside the U.S. or other related questions, please make an appointment with your international scholar advisor in Services for International Students and Scholars within Global Affairs.

For our local and global community

• UC Davis has created a Global Community Emergency Fund to provide direct support to members of the UC Davis community, including visiting scholars, students, faculty and their families, who have urgent and immediate financial needs related to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and other circumstances beyond their control.
• UC Davis continues to encourage students and professionals to use Article 26 Backpack — situated within Global Affairs — to safeguard academic documents, diplomas, transcripts, professional certificates and credentials and other sensitive materials from loss.

This article was originally published Sept. 28, 2022 by the UC Davis News and Media Relations.