As your president, I have made three personal statements concerning the political issues impacting our world: When Russia’s aggression on Ukraine began, our Ukrainian faculty members asked me to make a statement; when Azerbaijan attacked Artsakh and displaced more than 100,000, the Armenian community asked me to make a statement; and the Jewish community asked me to make a statement when Israel was attacked by Hamas. I made statements on all three occasions in order to promote a sense of belonging in our campus communities, to let them know that I, as president, was sharing their pain over the suffering of civilians in these armed conflicts.

Students of Palestinian descent have now asked me to make a statement concerning the suffering and humanitarian crisis currently occurring in Gaza. As a human, on a deeply personal level, I feel profound sadness over the suffering of the affected civilians, many of whom are children. Though I know this is a complex situation, I must have hope that one day, the world will experience peace throughout Israel and Palestine and the wider region. I acknowledge that there may be no message I can write that will work toward that goal, but I extend my sincere wish that our students know and feel that Fresno State belongs to them and that they belong at Fresno State.

To our students of Palestinian descent, I recognize the anguish that you and your families are experiencing, and hope for a way forward that spares innocent lives; know that I value you and affirm your belonging at Fresno State.

I also reiterate the core message that Dr. Rashanda Booker sent out:

At Fresno State, there is no place for antisemitism, hate, or Islamophobia.

We are all, and will be, Fresno State Bulldogs.

Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D.
President