Pace University is committed to maintaining an educational, working, and living environment that is free of all forms of discrimination and where every member can thrive. It is essential that we all be supportive, respectful, and inclusive of the members of our community who are affected by this global issue.

In the wake of this outbreak, several universities have experienced the targeting and exclusion of Chinese individuals, individuals perceived to be Chinese, and individuals recently returned from China due to fear and misinformation about the virus.

Acts of bias, discrimination, and harassment run counter to our University values and to Pace’s policies, including our Guiding Principles of Conduct and Non-Discrimination policies (PDF).

If you see someone wearing a mask, do not assume that the individual wearing it has symptoms or is at risk. Wearing a mask is a widespread preventive habit in several countries, and is viewed as a gesture of consideration for others.

Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) statement: 

APALA condemns rise in xenophobia and racism due to the novel coronavirus outbreak

The Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) unequivocally denounces the rise in racism and xenophobia against Asians and Asian/Pacific Americans in wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 (caused by the novel coronavirus).  Members of APALA, our library community, and the users we serve have reported a rise in racial discrimination, bigotry, and attacks aimed at people of Asian and Asian/Pacific American backgrounds due to fear, ignorance, and misinformation about the coronavirus. 

There is no excuse for discriminatory sentiments and actions towards Asians and Asian/Pacific Americans.  APALA rejects coronavirus-related hostility, anti-Asian stereotypes, and racism against Asians, Asian/Pacific Americans, or anyone perceived to be Asian.  These issues are not singular or isolated but rather are based on a long history of stereotyping of Asian immigrants and refugees as perpetual foreigners, especially in relation to infectious diseases. The spread of this disease is not linked to race or national origin. Racial profiling, discrimination, and xenophobia are hostile and inappropriate responses to the current coronavirus outbreak. Targeting people of Asian/Pacific descent creates fear and anger instead of raising awareness and knowledge about prevention and protection from novel coronavirus infection.  

APALA, one of the six national associations of librarians of color affiliated with  the American Library Association, is committed to advancing social justice and providing opportunities for dialogue. Our library and information institutions, as places of learning and knowledge, should support and welcome all members of our community.  We strongly urge those in the library community to stand with APALA against xenophobia and racism by signing our pledge (view a list of pledges).  Health and safety precautions are important. Providing library workers and library users of Asian and Asian/Pacific American backgrounds with a safe environment, without fear of harassment, is equally important.  We encourage library administrations to create policies that hold perpetrators accountable for their racist actions while keeping all of our library communities safe from bigotry.

Statements and resources for combating racism and xenophobia during the COVID-19 pandemic: 

Legal Assistance and Resources to report bias incidents: 

Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, New York, NY  (212) 966-5932    info@aaldef.org

New York State Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau  1-800-771-7755