On Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, the presidents of all 34 community and technical colleges, including Shoreline President Cheryl Roberts, signed the following letter reaffirming their commitment to diversity and safe campuses.

Religious and racial tensions are high in the United States right now and our communities are feeling the effects deeply.

As presidents of Washington’s community and technical colleges we issue this clear response on behalf of our students and colleagues: We stand together. Harassment and prejudice of any type defies the very values of pluralism and religious freedom that we hold dear in this country.

Community and technical colleges are truly “Democracy’s colleges” — not just because of our open-door policies, but because of the diverse community of students we serve. Our colleges are proud to be the educational homes to students of different faiths, races, national origins, sexual orientations and gender identities. We also strive to provide a working and learning environment that values civility, mutual respect and rigorous intellectual inquiry.

We believe our very differences strengthen our bonds of understanding and community.  The tapestry of American life is woven by the intersection of people from all backgrounds. We have been, and will continue to be, a system of colleges committed to human dignity and social justice. As such, we have zero tolerance for anything but safe campuses for our students and colleagues.

During these difficult times, when fear breeds hatred, we resolve to embrace humanity in all of its rich diversity.

The following message from President Cheryl Roberts was sent on Dec. 10. 2015 to all employees and all students at Shoreline Community College.

From the clearly hateful comments of a presidential candidate to the still uncertain details in a tragic death of a Seattle College student this past weekend, the language and actions of intolerance are on the rise.

As Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Together, we are making Shoreline Community College a place of light and love.

A year ago in separate incidents, posters for two student clubs, Project Pride and the Muslim Student Association, were defaced with the scrawls of hateful speech. College faculty, staff and students immediately responded. Together, we talked, we listened, and we reflected. Together, we crafted a statement – a standard – about the values we hold dear, the values of our community.

That statement, our Community Standard, was adopted this fall, and it says:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly …”

— Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Shoreline Community College is a place for students, employees, and the community to pursue excellence in education in an environment dedicated to equity, inclusiveness, and self-reflection. We value respectful, dynamic interactions and lively discussion. We strive to create an environment where everyone is supported and valued. Shoreline Community College does not tolerate hateful, violent, or discriminatory actions that target any person or group based on their beliefs, customs, identity, or affiliations. When one of us is diminished, all of us are diminished.”

When we state our values clearly, loudly, and with conviction, our light pushes back against the darkness of intolerance and hate. For winter quarter, we are posting our Community Standard in every building across the campus for all to see, along with our Title IX messages. Also for winter quarter, I am asking our faculty, staff, and student leaders to come together and create an opportunity for our light to shine, an opportunity for our values to be discussed as well as examine the factors that contribute to this lengthening shadow of intolerance.

Respectfully,

Cheryl

Shoreline Community College will be closed to the public from Dec. 21-25, 2015, President Cheryl L. Roberts has announced.  All offices on campus will be closed. College employees will be taking leave and no services will be available to the public during the campus closure.

Please note the campus will continue to be patrolled during the closure by College Safety & Security personnel. A handful of specific employees may be on campus completing assigned essential work.

This week is meant for the college to be closed and only those employees working on pre-approved essential projects are to be on campus during this closure. The college will reopen on Monday, Dec. 28.

A study of service utilization determined low and high usage periods during winter break 2014. The first week of winter break showed low utilization of services, however, the following week was very busy for registration and advising as students get ready to start winter-quarter classes.

This is the first year the college has closed during winter break beyond the traditional Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 holidays. “Our study showed we are able to give our employees an opportunity to recharge and be ready to come back and serve our students,” President Roberts said. This year, winter term begins on Jan. 4, 2016.

Winter break schedule

• Dec. 21-25, closed
• Dec. 28-31, open
• Jan. 1,  closed
• Jan. 4, open, first day of winter quarter