December 15, Standing Together After This Weekend's Tragic Gun Violence
Dear campus community,
Our hearts are heavy with the news of this weekend’s hate-driven tragedy in Sydney, Australia, where individuals celebrating the start of Hanukkah were targeted. What should have been a joyful celebration was marred by unacceptable violence, and we join others around the world in condemning these abhorrent acts.
On behalf of Chico State, I extend our condolences and support to the loved ones of those who were senselessly killed, as well as to those in our campus and greater community who are affected by this terrible tragedy. No one should live in fear because of who they are or how they identify.
If you need support, please utilize the Employee Assistance Program by calling 1-800-367-7474 — company code: csuchico. Additionally, remember the 24/7 crisis line through WellCat Counseling Center is available for students at 855-530-6802.
In moments like this, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a welcoming campus and to living out the values of an inclusive society. We must lean into our Community Agreements and uphold our commitments to diversity and inclusion. Intolerance and bigotry are unequivocally unacceptable.
To ensure the safety and well-being of our campus community, everyone must play a role. Any concerns about disruptive, threatening, or concerning behavior should be reported via Maxient, and needs for immediate assistance should always be reported to the University Police Department. All reports of harassment and any threats or physical violence will be investigated immediately.
At Chico State, I am proud that we have prioritized awareness about antisemitism in recent years. On Friday, we held our final workshop of the year in our Diversity Certificate Program series focused on Jewish life, Holocaust history, and contemporary antisemitism. These sessions created space for our community to learn together and engage in thoughtful dialogue, as well as raise awareness about how to recognize and respond to antisemitism in a campus or classroom setting. As other educational conversations have focused on topics including Islamophobia and conflict resolution, we are building understanding together, and we will continue to engage in these discussions to provide a supportive, welcoming environment for all students, faculty, and staff. In doing so, we strengthen our collective resolve to confront hatred and prevent future acts of violence.
We also acknowledge that gun violence—whether thousands of miles away or, as we have experienced ourselves in recent weeks, losing a member of our campus community—takes a profound toll on our sense of safety and well-being. This weekend's shooting at Brown University is another painful reminder of the widespread impact these tragedies have on communities everywhere. We must stand together to condemn violence, antisemitism, and all hate. In times of tragedy, our compassion and care for one another are our greatest strengths. Please reach out and connect with your classmates, friends, and colleagues, and let us continue to show one another the values that define Chico State.
Thank you for all you do to support one another,
Steve Perez
Our hearts are heavy with the news of this weekend’s hate-driven tragedy in Sydney, Australia, where individuals celebrating the start of Hanukkah were targeted. What should have been a joyful celebration was marred by unacceptable violence, and we join others around the world in condemning these abhorrent acts.
On behalf of Chico State, I extend our condolences and support to the loved ones of those who were senselessly killed, as well as to those in our campus and greater community who are affected by this terrible tragedy. No one should live in fear because of who they are or how they identify.
If you need support, please utilize the Employee Assistance Program by calling 1-800-367-7474 — company code: csuchico. Additionally, remember the 24/7 crisis line through WellCat Counseling Center is available for students at 855-530-6802.
In moments like this, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a welcoming campus and to living out the values of an inclusive society. We must lean into our Community Agreements and uphold our commitments to diversity and inclusion. Intolerance and bigotry are unequivocally unacceptable.
To ensure the safety and well-being of our campus community, everyone must play a role. Any concerns about disruptive, threatening, or concerning behavior should be reported via Maxient, and needs for immediate assistance should always be reported to the University Police Department. All reports of harassment and any threats or physical violence will be investigated immediately.
At Chico State, I am proud that we have prioritized awareness about antisemitism in recent years. On Friday, we held our final workshop of the year in our Diversity Certificate Program series focused on Jewish life, Holocaust history, and contemporary antisemitism. These sessions created space for our community to learn together and engage in thoughtful dialogue, as well as raise awareness about how to recognize and respond to antisemitism in a campus or classroom setting. As other educational conversations have focused on topics including Islamophobia and conflict resolution, we are building understanding together, and we will continue to engage in these discussions to provide a supportive, welcoming environment for all students, faculty, and staff. In doing so, we strengthen our collective resolve to confront hatred and prevent future acts of violence.
We also acknowledge that gun violence—whether thousands of miles away or, as we have experienced ourselves in recent weeks, losing a member of our campus community—takes a profound toll on our sense of safety and well-being. This weekend's shooting at Brown University is another painful reminder of the widespread impact these tragedies have on communities everywhere. We must stand together to condemn violence, antisemitism, and all hate. In times of tragedy, our compassion and care for one another are our greatest strengths. Please reach out and connect with your classmates, friends, and colleagues, and let us continue to show one another the values that define Chico State.
Thank you for all you do to support one another,
Steve Perez