Office of the President, CSU, Chico
Office of the President
Date: April 17, 2007
To: Campus Community
From: Paul J. Zingg, President
We have all been following the horrifying news of what happened at Virginia Tech
yesterday. It is a tragedy beyond measure for those families and friends who
have lost loved ones in Blacksburg, Virginia. Our thoughts and prayers
are with the faculty, staff, students, and community members of Virginia Tech
at this most difficult time. We also have members of our community with
connections to Virginia Tech, and we hold them in our hearts as well. Those of
us who work or study in a college setting feel a kinship that spans geography;
we are united in our pursuit of learning, and now are united in this time of
grief. For those who would like to talk with a counselor in the aftermath
of this tragedy, our Psychological Counseling Center staff is available to help
at 898-6345.
At the time I am writing this, details are just emerging about the gunman and
whatever terrible motives led him to commit these heinous acts. Sadly,
preparing for similar incidents, regardless of motive, is a part of our regular
emergency preparedness. Led by University Police Chief Eric Reichel, we
have staff members representing many campus offices that train and prepare for
emergencies that could occur on campus. We are also fortunate to have outstanding
mutual aid relationships with city, county, and state agencies as well as other
CSU campuses. It is a fact of life today that we prepare for the worst
possible events, while at the same time pray that they never take place.
No community is completely safe from such incidents, but it is possible to lessen
their likelihood. Along with the efforts of front-line staff, we all can
play a role, from being aware of what is going on around us, to keeping an eye
out for others who may need assistance. It’s also important to know how
to reach emergency personnel in short order. Along with dialing 911 from
any phone or location, there are also blue light phones around campus that automatically
dial 911 and ring directly into University Police. Let me suggest you also
put the University Police main line number – 898-5555 – into your
mobile phone. For our part, we will use phone messages, e-mail messages,
Web postings, mass media, and other means to inform you of an emergency at the
earliest possible time. We will be writing to you soon with additional
information about what you can do to protect yourself and those around you in
the event of an emergency. Vigilance and mutual regard are our allies in
maintaining a safe and healthy community.
Particularly as we approach the end of our own academic year, many of us feel
the exhaustion and pressures of this time in our calendar. All the more
reason, I would caution, to take a deep breath in our interactions with one another
and to find both solace and strength in the beauty of our campus and the goodness
of our community. Just as we offer deep sympathy and solidarity to the Virginia
Tech community during this difficult time, we offer consideration and support
to each other.
Tonight at 7 pm in the downtown City Plaza, there will be a candlelight vigil
for the victims of Virginia Tech. Tomorrow at noon, the Trinity Bell Tower
will toll for those who have been killed or wounded. The University flag
has been lowered in their memory.
Thank you, for a prayer for Virginia Tech, and an act of kindness for Chico State.