From the President to the campus community
The entire Minnesota State University, Mankato community is deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University on April 16, 2007. The hearts of students, faculty and staff at Minnesota State University, Mankato go out to the students, faculty, staff, families and friends of Virginia Tech.
As our campus mourns with Virginia Tech, I invite you to participate in campus events and activities.
- A Virginia Tech banner is located on the first floor of Centennial Student Union, where students, faculty and staff may post messages of condolence.
- Ribbon pins representing Virginia Tech’s school colors are available in the Centennial Student Union next to the Virginia Tech Banner or at the Student Leadership Development and Service-Learning Office.
- The St. Thomas More Newman Center will hold a candlelight prayer service Tuesday, April 17, at 9:15 p.m. near Memorial Library. The service will be near the site of the Kent State Memorial on the Campus Mall.
- Join the VT Solidarity Project on Facebook. This collaborative project was launched by Minnesota State Mankato with more than 55 institutions currently involved. Student groups or departments can organize a display of support, upload a photo to Facebook, and a physical copy of the collection will be made into a scrapbook and sent to VA Tech.
- The April 17 Reporter includes a powerful editorial (page 6) that I recommend everyone read. No medium in the professional press has enunciated this tragedy better.
As always, if you notice someone that is distressed or having difficulty coping following this tragedy, please reach out and encourage them to utilize the many resources available for assistance and support www.mnsu.edu/vttragedy/counseling.html.
As this situation prompts us to reflect on measures taken to support safety on our campus, please remember the following:
- When there are emergencies on campus, we work closely with the Mankato Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement agencies. Security would immediately contact police when notified of an emergency situation.
- In a campus emergency situation, the President assembles the Campus Emergency Response Team, which discusses the emergency and assigns tasks for providing information to students, parents, faculty, staff, the community and state, alumni and other supporters of the university.
Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy. We hope and pray that such a tragedy never happens again.
Thank you.
