The start of the new year in Minnesota has been difficult.

As we write this, tensions are high, and violence and protests have touched communities across our state. The world’s attention has once again turned to Minnesota.

Many of our students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni are feeling fearful, sad, angry and confused. Those emotions intensified after one of our own—Alex Pretti, a 2011 graduate of the University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts—was shot and killed by federal agents in the city of Minneapolis.

Members of our immigrant community and communities of color feel especially vulnerable—many are afraid to leave their homes. What we are experiencing is not normal. Violence in our streets is never acceptable, and it is not a way for our students to learn. It is not the way for any of us to live.

My priority has been, and will continue to be, the physical and mental well-being of the students, faculty, staff and visitors who make the University of Minnesota’s mission of education, research, scholarship and outreach possible. We have provided security protocols and guidance for campuses and flexible accommodations to support students, scholars, and staff. These actions have enabled our University community to continue learning while prioritizing safety. They are part of our commitment to supporting those with safety concerns, while also supporting in-person learning and connection, which students value and benefit from.

Well-being, however, is about more than safety alone. It is also about belonging and being able to come together as a community. With this in mind, we have created spaces to bring people together, reflect, and connect. Across the University, students, faculty and staff have come together to be present with one another. For our broader community, including alumni and friends of the University, we hosted a community gathering to offer space for reflection, shared humanity, and mutual support during a time of uncertainty. Many have shared how meaningful these moments of community have been, helping people feel seen, heard and less alone.

The University’s commitment to student well-being is foundational, and moments like this make its impact unmistakable. Since I arrived in 2024, we have been working to strengthen student well-being programs and resources all across the University. These efforts have been grounded in collaboration among campuses, with students, and with philanthropic and corporate partners.

Student voices have guided, and will continue to guide, this work. We must ensure students can focus on thriving, not worrying that they or their family members or friends will be harmed. Supporting student well-being is essential to preparing remarkable, determined problem solvers who are ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities long after they graduate from the University of Minnesota.

As our students navigate uncertainty, the University of Minnesota will continue living out our shared values of inclusion, community, belonging and safety. On our campuses, many people, even if they are struggling to understand what’s happening in our state, have taken the time to engage with one another and help neighbors. I am so proud of the ways our students, faculty, staff and alumni have been stepping up: organizing rides, donating food, and checking on each other.

This showing of community is who we are as a University, as Minnesotans. By grounding ourselves in shared values, we—and all of Minnesota—can be the energy for change and find a path forward together.

Rebecca Cunningham
President

If you liked this story, Minnesota Alumni magazine publishes four times a year highlighting U of M alumni and University activities. Early access to stories and a print subscription are benefits of being an Alumni Association member. Join here to receive a printed copy at home.