Dear Western Illinois University Community,
It is heartbreaking to write to you twice in the same month to remember lives lost to gun violence in American cities. On Tuesday, 19 children and two teachers were murdered as a gunman entered a fourth grade classroom in their Uvalde, Texas elementary school.
They were killed just two days before they began their summer break, and hours after many of these students were celebrated for their academic achievements. Each had a personal story of the mark they made on the world, and they leave large holes in the lives of their family members and friends.
As a former resident of Texas, whose son has attended college and will remain in the state, and as a parent, this most recent school shooting devastates me. These acts of violence rock our society to its core. Things must change.
These acts of violence affect each of us. Individuals who see or hear anything should contact the Office of Public Safety immediately at (309) 298-1949, or by dialing 9-1-1. Students who need mental health assistance can contact the University Counseling Center at (309) 298-2453. Employees seeking assistance can contact the Employee Assistance Program at (866) 659-3848.
We strive to maintain our campus as a safe place for learning, and for our students and employees who live and work here. Join us in remembering the lives lost to violence and those lives altered in our nation's communities.
Sincerely,
Guiyou Huang, Ph.D.
President
Western Illinois University
Original source can be found here.
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