Dear members of the University community,

A study issued earlier this month concluded that hate crimes against members of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities have risen in the United States by nearly 150% in the past year. This sharp, startling and deplorable increase in racially fueled attacks against people of Asian descent comes amid an overall nationwide decline in hate crimes during the same period.

Dear members of the University community,

As you may be aware, the Lafayette Public Library’s governing board recently refused to accept a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities that would have funded a community book reading and discussion about the history of voting rights in the United States.

In rejecting the grant, a board member questioned the objectivity of a member of our faculty, Dr. Theodore Foster, an assistant professor of history who was to act as one of two facilitators for the book discussion.

Dear faculty and staff members,

We received an early Christmas present from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges last week – news that it has reaffirmed the University’s accreditation through 2030.

The accreditors determined the University had met all of the commission’s quality standards with no issues to address. That means we passed – with flying colors.

Congratulations!

Dear students, faculty and staff members,

In recent days, we have seen an uptick in the number of students reporting positive COVID-19 test results. This unfortunate trend mirrors the rising number of cases in Acadiana, across Louisiana and throughout the nation.

Some of these cases at the University are in the School of Music and Performing Arts and include members of the marching band and a number of ensembles. Out of an abundance of caution, and to limit the virus’ potential spread, the school has suspended all on-campus music-making activities for 14 days.

Dear students, faculty and staff members,

Election Day is this Tuesday, Nov. 3. Every four years, American voters hold in their hands the most sacred and precious responsibility a democracy affords – a ballot.

If you took advantage of early voting opportunities, thank you. If your plan is to vote in person on Tuesday, please do so. The University will announce soon what it’s doing to ensure you have time to make your voice heard and your vote count.