School Statement

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Dear Diplomacy Community,

I write to you with a heavy heart, mourning the terrible loss of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others. The School of Diplomacy and International Relations condemns the systemic racism that has plagued this country since its founding, and the ongoing inequality, dispossession, and violence faced by Black Americans. I write to affirm our support for our Black students and colleagues, as an indelible part of our Catholic mission to promote peace, justice and the dignity of all human life.

It is critical that we understand our individual and collective roles in systems and structures of oppression. This week, as a faculty and administration, we have been discussing action steps that we can take as a School to pursue positive change. I would like to invite you to join us in our planning. We need your voices. Email Dean Halpin to get involved.

We are facing tough decisions this summer. Whatever actions you decide are right for you, please be safe.

I look forward to working with you to make a difference in addressing the challenges of our day. Until we meet again in person, I welcome the opportunity to converse with you. I would like to listen and learn from your ideas, insights and expertise as we strive to care for each other and our community. Let's make an appointment to connect by phone or via Teams.

We can always do better. Let's do better together.

In solidarity,

Courtney B. Smith, Ph.D.
Acting Dean
School of Diplomacy
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ 07079
Phone: (973) 313-6203