To the University Community,

Today we join the nation and the higher education community in mourning the tragic death of six innocent students who lost their lives when a gunman opened fire in a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. A score of other students were injured in the shooting before the gunman took his own life.

This heartbreaking assault, the fourth at a U.S. school within a week, is a reminder that although campuses across the country are among the safest living communities in the nation, we are not immune to senseless acts of violence.

By our very nature Slippery Rock University is an open, welcoming community. People come an go throughout the day and interact with the campus and each of us in a myriad of ways. As members of the community, it is important that we continuously be aware of our own personal safety and the safety of others. I urge you to help be the eyes and ears for campus safety. If you see or suspect unusual behavior, please report it to the University Police, or the counseling center, or your CA, or any faculty or staff person. We have numerous programs in place to help and respond to issues of all kinds, but the first step is in knowing that a problem exists.

As you go about your day today, I ask each of you to join me in offering a personal moment of silence for the family and friends of the victims. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Robert Smith, president