April 21, 2021

Full Sail Family –

The tragic loss of George Floyd’s life ignited calls from around the country for justice and reform. We recognize that while the recent verdict cannot bring Mr. Floyd back to his family, it serves as a historic and powerful beacon of hope for the forward movement toward seeking justice across our nation. In this instance, the trial’s jury brought forth a guilty verdict that we can only hope provides some means of comfort to the Floyd family.

Throughout the trial, and now in the coming days and weeks ahead, we acknowledge that deep, raw and real emotions have been, and continue to be, experienced by many across our university, especially within our BIPOC community. Full Sail University remains here with and for you, and if you are in need of resources or support, we encourage you to connect with us. Students contact Student Advising/Support, and faculty & staff contact Staff and Cultural Development.

At this pivotal moment in time we acknowledge that while progress has been made there is still much work to be done. Full Sail University believes in the eradication of hate, injustice and racism, as we work together in our continual efforts to drive positive change.

From my heart, I thank each of you for allowing me to share these thoughts and words with you today.

Most sincerely,
Garry

Garry Jones
President, Full Sail University

June 8, 2020

Full Sail Family,

As our nation acknowledges racism and the necessity of ending it, so many members of the Black community are still hurting, experiencing deep sadness, frustration, and grief. This cannot be lost on us.

We are listening. We see you. We stand with you. Black Lives Matter.

Working to take vital steps forward together, we acknowledge that this must not be a single moment in time, but rather an opportunity to stand with the Black community as change agents for the future; a future built on equality, social justice, respect and love.

Throughout this past week, I have both heard from and actively engaged in discussions with members of our student body, staff, faculty, alumni and parent communities. I have joined in robust discussions with regional civic, business, religious and education leaders. My commitment – and Full Sail’s commitment as a family – to anti-racism goes beyond our current culture of diversity and inclusion to include conversations that both permeate our university and continue beyond the borders of this institution. New actionable and sustainable measures are being explored, and more importantly, implemented.

These latest measures have already begun and are continuing to grow. Here are just a few examples:

• Last week, Full Sail’s Black Student Union hosted a campus-wide virtual conversation about racism and the allyship needed to end it.
• The PRIDE Club hosted a watch party for Equality Florida’s Virtual Town Hall: LGBTQ Voices to Combat Racial Violence
• Our Student Development Department is leading a series of virtual open forums for our students, all with the desire to give refuge, voice, power and direction to their passions while challenging them to rise to the occasion of the current moment through creativity, reflection and positive action.
• The Student Community Association is collecting art for an expressive virtual art exhibit themed #HowAreYouReally
• Members of university leadership will be hosting deep listening sessions with staff and students to ensure we continue to listen and learn from our communities.
• We are making anti-racist educational resources available digitally to students, staff and faculty, and are adding additional resources to the university’s library.
• Our Faculty Development Department is adding valuable educational sessions on embracing diversity to our upcoming summer staff educational conference.
• June 19th is the national holiday Juneteenth. The Black Student Union is collaborating with the Student Community Association and Student Development to provide educational programming on this day.

This is a start. There is more work to be done. Today’s communication is offered in the spirit of transparency and as an effort to keep this ever-important dialogue alive and moving forward.

I look forward to a continually growing spirit of embracing every human heart with love and the recognition that we are all equally adored in God’s eyes.

With my heart,
Garry

Garry Jones
President, Full Sail University

June 8, 2020

Full Sail Family,

Like millions of people around the world, our hearts have been broken by the news of the tragic and unnecessary death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Our condolences and prayers go out to the Floyd family as they grieve and, as we pray for comfort for them, we simultaneously ask that justice be served.

On behalf of the Full Sail University community, we condemn this and all acts of violence. Abuse of power is never acceptable, and racism and discrimination of any kind cannot be tolerated. At Full Sail, we are proud to be home to a diverse and inclusive community of creatives. Now more than ever, we must stand together to eradicate hate and fight injustice as we work to drive positive change. There is much work to be done, and for the desired outcome we must all play a part in peacefully bringing about this necessary change.

Students, graduates, faculty and staff who are tragically shaken as well as angered by these recent events – and far too many other instances of racial violence across our nation – know that you are not alone in these feelings. As we search for resolutions, inherently we know that respect for others, tolerance for our differences, and unconditional love from one human heart to another provides a platform from which we can create a more harmonious society.

While campus remains closed at this time due to the COVID19 pandemic, Full Sail teams remain available to support those in need of important further discussion. Students – reach out to student advising/support. Faculty and staff – check in with the Staff and Cultural Development department. If you are in need of resources or to continue this important discussion, we’re here with and for you.

I offer these thoughts from a troubled heart, a place of deep sadness, and with a sincere prayer for a more loving world through God’s unconditional love in our hearts.

Most sincerely,
Garry Jones
President, Full Sail University