csun

To the Campus Community:

I know everyone in the university community is deeply saddened and distressed by Monday's events at Virginia Tech. They are a reminder of how vulnerable we are to anyone who wishes to tear at the fabric of community that forms the core of a free society and, by extension, a university campus.

The heartfelt sympathies of our Cal State Northridge family go out to everyone affected by this tragedy at Virginia Tech, including the survivors, the victims' families, and of course the university's faculty, staff, students, and administrators.

As we learn more about this event, considered the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, I am confident we as a university community will find ways to respond at Cal State Northridge to this tragedy. These include understanding what occurred, addressing feelings of distress or sorrow that may arise here, considering how to best express support for the Virginia Tech community, and continually assessing our own preparedness.

Cal State Northridge places a priority on emergency preparedness and response. Our campus emergency planning team regularly reviews campus policies and procedures, and conducts exercises to ensure familiarity with campus emergency procedures.

In the event of an emergency on campus, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 911 from campus phones or 818-677-2111 from mobile phones and outside lines. Members of the university community who wish to seek counseling support in the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy may contact University Counseling Services at 818-677-2366.

As a mark of respect for the victims at Virginia Tech, and pursuant to a proclamation issued by the President of the United States, I have today ordered the campus flag over the Oviatt Library to be lowered to half staff until sunset Sunday, April 22, 2007.


Jolene Koester
President