October 11, 2023
Dear Campus Community,
This past Saturday, following the end of the Jewish festival of Sukkot, Hamas and other armed groups launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood at Israel. Word of this news and what followed has been accompanied by an outpouring of emotion by so many across our community. Fear. Anger. Gloom. Pain.
Such emotions have continued and will remain as we learn of the extensive loss of life, close to two thousand for all sides; the enormity in numbers of those injured; and the ongoing violence, which is likely to only further escalate. When confronting such tragic events in our world and in our lives, we need to stand firm to the core values we share as a Gettysburg College community—values that speak to the worth and dignity of all people, our commitment to diverse and inclusive communities, and our sensitivity to the human condition.
As we resume classes after Reading Days, we want to provide support to all of you, but particularly to our Jewish, Palestinian, Israeli, and Muslim communities—students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike. While College Life has been in active conversation with our students, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is coordinating efforts to identify additional resources to support your classroom discussions, work interactions, and other living, learning, and working needs.
At this time, we are contacting a group of students, faculty, and staff to organize a gathering that can help us to join together as a community—in peace—to learn how events are impacting each of us, all to better support one another. In the meantime, we would encourage you to seek out the following campus resources:
- All students – Counseling and Wellness Services at counseling@gettysburg.edu or 717-337-6960
- All students and employees – Diversity and Inclusion, Eloísa Gordon-Mora at egordon@gettysburg.edu or 717-337-6376
- All students and employees – Religious and Spiritual Life, Chaplain Bright at mbright@gettysburg.edu or 717-337-6282
- For classroom support – JCCTL, Josef Brandauer at jbrandau@gettysburg.edu or 717-337-6441
- All students – College Life, Cristina Garcia at cgarcia@gettysburg.edu or 717-337-6921
- All employees –Human Resources, Employment Assistant Program at hr@gettysburg.edu or 717-337-6202
- All faculty – Office of the Provost, Michelle Schmidt at mschmidt@gettysburg.edu or 717-337-6840
Please do not hesitate to contact us. Our hearts are with you during these difficult times.
Bob Iuliano
President
Eloísa Gordon-Mora
Chief Diversity Officer