Standing Against Terrorism and for Peace

Dear Cooper Community,

We are outraged and deeply saddened by the violent and deadly terrorist attacks on Israeli people by Hamas that began this weekend. There is no place for terrorism in our society, and that is exactly what we witnessed on Saturday with the taking of hostages, the raping of women, and the brutal killing of innocent people, including infants, children, and the elderly. These are horrific acts that cannot be justified or rationalized under any context.

Many in our community are directly or indirectly impacted, and our hearts are with all who are suffering as a result of these brutal actions and the ongoing escalation of violence unfolding. These terrorist acts by Hamas have led to more deaths of Israelis and Palestinians. We grieve the loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives and stand in solidarity with all who seek peace and condemn terror. We hope for brave leaders who can return the hostages safely to their families and homes while preventing further violence on a path to long-term peace.

There have been and will continue to be many discussions about the painful histories and complex geopolitical issues underlying the work toward peace in the Middle East, the ways that governments have failed to serve the people they purport to protect, and how actions before, during, and after this weekend’s terrorist attacks undermine the very peace and freedoms so many seek. Education, discourse, and compassion in search of peaceful resolutions must shape our work toward a better, shared future.

As we wrestle with these complex issues, we must not lose sight of our common humanity and must care for one another on the difficult road ahead. We encourage you to utilize the campus resources listed below for your own support and to reach out to those who may be struggling right now.

Any Cooper student can schedule a time to meet with one of our Student Care Coordinators by emailing studentcare@cooper.edu. For additional and after-hours support, please see the student care and support resources at these links, including access to our Counseling Program,  TimelyCare, and other resources that are available 24/7.

For staff and faculty seeking resources, please utilize Cooper’s Employee Assistance Program – the EAP hotline number is 800-252-4555.
 

With hope for peace,

Laura Sparks

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.