Maintaining Our Community

Dear Members of the Community,

There are no words that can adequately express the horrors we are witnessing in the Middle East. I am grateful to President Salovey for his statement condemning the terrorist attacks on civilians carried out by Hamas in Israel and encouraging our community to come together during this incredibly difficult time. Any act of terror targeting civilians is abhorrent and has no place in civil society. We mourn the loss of life as the violence continues to unfold.

I want to ensure that members of our community are aware of the resources available to them. This week, our first priority has been to reach out to students directly impacted by these events and connect them with support services. Associate Dean of Students Jennifer Cerny and Assistant Dean Gordon Silverstein have been in touch with our students who have families in the region. Any students in need of additional support during this time should reach out to the Office of Student Affairs or the Graduate Programs Office. The University has also outlined important resources that are available for all members of the community.

During moments like this, it is imperative that members of our community take care of one another. We must all lead with compassion, united by our shared humanity and our membership in this community. I affirm President Salovey’s call for us “to treat each other with compassion and understanding and to reject discrimination and intolerance in any form.”

I have spoken many times about the values that guide this law school and our profession. In the coming days and weeks, I hope you will join me in living by them.

Heather K. Gerken
Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law