We are publishing a letter from the Rector of the UW to Deans, Directors, and Heads of all Faculties and Units at the University of Warsaw, with an appeal for unity, cooperation and understanding.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Last Wednesday, on 7th May, the University of Warsaw – an open and friendly university founded on mutual respect – experienced a tragedy that is difficult to describe. The unimaginable and unnecessary death of our Colleague, an Employee of our university, resulting from a bestial attack by one of our students, raised concerns and questions – about humanity, values, as well as safety. These terrible events have been a trauma for our university community, and the effects may be felt for a very long time. Our sense of trust in the world and each other was severely shaken.

 

In this extremely difficult moment for our community, I appeal to you – Deans, Directors, and Heads of all faculties and units of the University of Warsaw – for unity, cooperation and understanding. It is you who are closest to the people working and studying at your faculties and units. You know them, you see them and you feel the emotions accompanying them. At this special time, please remain open to providing help and support wherever it is needed.

 

Anticipating the scale of demand to an extent not seen before, we have activated our university psychological support, with the cooperation of the Warsaw City Hall and the Military Institute of Medicine – National Research Institute. Many people are already taking advantage of it, in Polish, English or Ukrainian. I know, however, that not everyone directly signals the need to speak to a psychologist, even though they need it very much. I therefore ask you to be particularly sensitive and attentive in this regard. Let us not leave anyone unattended. Friday’s meeting with specialists in psychological crisis intervention organised for deans and vice-deans for student affairs on behalf of the Rectorate, communication between the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and all heads of teaching units, the advice for teaching employees prepared by the UW’s PCSC are examples of the support the University is happy to offer you.

 

Please, organise meetings with students, employees, and doctoral candidates, informing, explaining, reassuring and supporting their sense of security. This is important, especially at the present time. Do not forget about yourselves, too. University psychological support is available to everyone, including those who are taking on the burden of management at this unprecedentedly difficult time. For my part, I pledge my openness and full support for your initiatives and actions.

I assure you that the assistance we are already providing and have pledged to the families of both Małgorzata and Tomasz, the heroic university guard, is comprehensive and long-term. We are one university family looking after all members of our academic community – especially those in need. The children of the employees are the children of the University of Warsaw. We will support the families of Małgorzata and Tomasz for as long as they need us – organisationally, materially and psychologically. Both in dealing with loss and trauma and in rebuilding their daily lives.

 

From Monday, 12th May, there will be an opportunity in the Auditorium Maximum to sign a letter to our hero, Tomasz, the university guard – with thanks and wishes for a speedy recovery. It will probably be heartening for many in our university community to share a kind word and gratitude at such an emotionally difficult time.

Shortly after the tragic event, I met with the ministers of science and higher education, internal affairs and administration, as well as the heads of the Polish and Warsaw police forces. This is the beginning of a journey towards developing systemic changes in the field of university safety, which I consider essential. Of course, I realise that even the best law cannot predict another person’s behaviour and thoughts. However, combined with mutual empathy, with instilling the values on which humanity is based – we are able to ensure that we return to work and studies in the place we have dreamed of and where we feel safe.

 

Thank you very much for what you have done so far, for your support and willingness to cooperate in such large numbers. We all now have to work hard to rebuild our faith in one another. Together, by supporting each other, we will surely achieve this.

 

Alojzy Z. Nowak

Rector of the University of Warsaw