May 30, 2022 – Campus Safety Update

Dear Campus Community,

I apologize for interrupting the latter part of your holiday weekend, but I have important information regarding community safety to share.

Late last week, our University Police Department was contacted by the FBI and alerted that a current employee made recent threatening and violent statements on a social media platform. While no specific threat was made against the University or any member of our campus community, the language was disturbing and required immediate action.

In collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, the University took proactive steps to keep our campus as safe as possible from any potential threats. The individual is currently in police custody and law enforcement has removed firearms from his possession. In addition, the employee has been placed on leave pending investigation and will not be returning to the Chico State campus.

Your safety is my highest priority. I know with the recent tragedies in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas weighing on everyone's mind, this news is unsettling. Learning of a potential threat to our own community only heightens our concerns. However, I am grateful to the FBI and our UPD for acting swiftly regarding this potential threat.

I urge each of you to take care of yourselves, your families, and your colleagues. Please remember the University has support services and assistance available to every employee. In addition, If you hear or see anything alarming, do not hesitate to speak up. Anonymous tips may be reported to UPD(opens in new window).

Sincerely,

Gayle E. Hutchinson

President