Dear Bentley community,
Like many of you, I have spent the last few days reflecting and wrestling with my thoughts. I have been glued to the news. I’ve read every article I could find. Revisited books I’ve read. Texted with family and friends. Been in touch with students and alumni, faculty and staff. Worked with my leadership team to ensure the immediate needs of the community were met. Still, I cannot shake the heartbreak that I’ve carried since seeing the breaking news on Saturday morning.
Innocent Israeli civilians were attacked in their homes and local neighborhoods by terrorists from Hamas. The brutal violence and inhumanity are appalling. Now war grips this region once again and further devastation and suffering is certain for many innocent Palestinians in Gaza. The lives extinguished or forever scarred by this bloodshed are a tragedy we will continue to collectively grapple with for years to come. I know this pain has been felt acutely by many students, faculty and staff in our community, and particularly by those who are or have family and friends who are Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian, Arab or Muslim. I am grieving with and for those in our Bentley community who are mourning or experiencing heartache and fear.
I also know that many have wondered what the university would have to say about this matter. The utmost priority has been an intentional focus on meeting the immediate needs of community members. Faculty and staff quickly contacted students in our community directly impacted by the weekend’s events to ensure immediate safety and offer care and concern. Nothing I can write will lessen the pain or bring new clarity in this confounding time, but it is important to acknowledge the collective heartache of our community and provide information about meaningful opportunities that have emerged from this grief.
Over the last few days, I have found solace in the way members of our community, and in particular our students, have demonstrated leadership in the midst of their own grief. Tonight at 7:00 p.m., Bentley Hillel, Bentley TAMID, AEPi and the International Jewish Student Center of Boston will co-host a gathering on the Green Space. On Friday at 4:00 p.m., the Bentley Young Arab Leaders Association and the Bentley Muslim Student Association will co-host a vigil on the Green Space. I have been in touch with some of the leaders of these organizations and I will attend both events. I encourage all members of our community to join these events in support of our students and one another.
In addition to pausing for grief, care and concern in our community, there is an obligation to fulfill our mission as an educational institution, with opportunities to deepen understandings of the complex factors and conditions surrounding Israel and Palestine. In the weeks ahead, our provost will organize an academic panel discussion on this topic that continues the conversation with intent to educate and inform – and we hope, add some level of clarity and perspective – for members of our community.
For those who need additional support, know that the university is here for you. We understand that individuals deal with trauma and grief in many ways, and there are a variety of programs and resources to address unique concerns and needs. Our Student Affairs team is always available to support students at GA_studentaffairs@bentley.edu, our Counseling Center is available at (781) 891-2274, and our Spiritual Life team can be reached at GA_spiritual_life@bentley.edu or (781) 891-2418. Faculty and staff can access counseling and support through our Employee Assistance Program here.
The days ahead will undoubtedly be difficult. Take time to grieve. Find ways to engage. And make space for your friends, classmates and colleagues who may be suffering in different ways. We at Bentley will persevere by committing to continued dialogue and support for all members of this community. And we will take that one day at a time.
Most sincerely,
Brent
