SUBJECT: Reminder: Community Forum on the Middle East Crisis

Dear Campus Community:

As I shared with you last week, the Provost Office will be hosting a Community Forum on the Middle East Crisis this Thursday, November 2nd from 5:00 to 6:30 pm in Kochoff Hall B. This event aims to create a safe and supportive space for our campus community to engage with this complex and unfolding human tragedy. Please RSVP if you wish to attend.

The panel will be moderated by Maureen Linker, Associate Provost, and the following faculty members will be a part of the panel:

• Rose Wellman, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Department of Behavioral Sciences
• Hani Bawardi, Associate Professor of History, Department of Social Sciences
• Cam Amin, Professor of Middle East & Iranian Diaspora Studies, Department of College-Wide Programs and Director of Research for the Inclusive History Project-Dearborn
• Jamie Wraight, Lecturer IV in History, Department of Social Sciences and Director of the Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive
• Sally Howell, Professor of History, Department of Social Sciences
• Wessam Elmeligi, Assistant Professor of Arabic, Department of Language, Culture, and the Arts and  Director, Center for Arab American Studies

In the spirit of fostering inclusivity, care, open dialogue, and mutual understanding, the panelists will share their expertise in Middle Eastern studies, politics, history, literature, and art in order to help shed light on the historical, political, and cultural aspects of the conflict. In addition, community members will be encouraged to ask questions and engage with the panelists to gain deeper insights and clarity on the issues.

In partnership with the Mardigian Library and Stamelos Gallery, we will also be hosting UM-Dearborn: Expressions on the Middle East where all members of campus may anonymously share their thoughts, feelings, and expressions on the current conflict by writing on index cards provided alongside submission boxes placed around high traffic areas on campus. These writings will be curated and then displayed as an exhibit in the Mardigian Library.

Finally, the university will provide information on available resources, including the recent project, along with digital resources and counseling services to support community members who are affected by the crisis.

Sincerely,

Gabriella

Gabriella Scarlatta
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs