Holiday Weekend Tragedies Remind Us to Care for Each Other; Resources Available for Campus Community

Dear Saint Mary’s Community,

As our campus community reconvenes after the July 4 holiday, I recognize that our nation is once again in mourning following the horrific tragedies that took place in Highland Park, Illinois, and Sacramento, California, where neighbors and families were devastated with more senseless acts of gun violence. It is with deep sadness that these heartbreaking tragedies come on the heels of other recent mass shootings. And while these acts of violence have taken place across America, the pain and sorrow are felt on our campus as well. 

We all need to support each other during these unprecedented times. For anyone affected, this is a reminder that we have resources available to support you during difficult times such as these. Whether you are a student or employee, our campus has counseling and resources available to you, as we are here to take care of and support each other. Please know that you are not alone. I encourage anyone in the Saint Mary’s community to draw on our campus resources. These include our Counseling & Psychological Services, the Mission & Ministry Center, and the Employment Assistance Program.

Additionally, the safety of our Saint Mary’s community remains our number one priority. With heightened tension across the country comes the need to remain alert when it comes to any potential impacts to our campus. It is critically important that every member of the campus community download the LiveSafe app to receive the latest Campus Safety and emergency alerts from the College. If you see any suspicious activity, report it to Campus Safety, or use this link to report a community concern. And familiarize yourself with the College’s safety protocols in the event of an emergency situation.

As we all do what we can to deal with an emotionally charged time, we continue to be guided by our Lasallian principles. Take time to care for yourself and each other as we all process these difficult events. And continue to stay aware and alert as we work together to keep our Saint Mary’s community safe.

Sincerely,

Richard Plumb, PhD
President