Resolution on George Floyd and Systemic Racism

Approved June 10, 2020

WHEREAS, on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, George Perry Floyd, a Black man was murdered by four Minneapolis police officers;

WHEREAS, one officer knelt on Mr. Floyd’s neck, while the other officers either assisted in restraining Mr. Floyd or stood by failing to intervene; for approximately eight minutes and forty-six seconds the officer knelt on Mr. Floyd’s neck, as Mr. Floyd called out for his life saying, “I can’t breathe;”

WHEREAS, Black Lives Matter and across the United States, including Fredericksburg, Virginia, and around the world people from all nationalities, ethnic and racial backgrounds, and walks of life have assembled to protest, march and rally to mourn Mr. Floyd’s death and express their outrage with the social injustice of systemic racism that has led to the deaths of George Perry Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Michael Brown and so many more;

RESOLVED, that the Board of Visitors of the University of Mary Washington (the “Board”) sends condolences and support to the family of George Perry Floyd and stands with the thousands in our country and around the world, including members of the Mary Washington community, who have engaged in peaceful protests to affirm that Black Lives Matter, and to call for an end to the social injustice and systemic racism that permeates the fabric of our country; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board is dedicated to the principles of our Statement of Values, that require our adherence to policies and practices that promote equity, fairness, access and an inclusive environment of mutual respect for all members of the Mary Washington community; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board is committed to rooting out any practice within our community that stems from implicit bias, systemic racism or is contrary to our Statement of Values.

Resolution of the Mary Washington Board of Visitors – June 10, 2020 (PDF)