Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,
Our hearts go out to the Michigan State University community following last night’s horrific shooting. Once again, we have experienced a tragic act of violence at one of our bastions of higher education. I have reached out to my friend Marlon Lynch, Michigan State University’s vice president for public safety and chief of police, offering any assistance that we might provide them. I ask that we keep the Michigan State University in our thoughts and prayers as we stand in solidarity with them during this time.
The health and safety of all our students, faculty, staff and visitors is our top priority. I want our community to know that our dedicated public safety professionals are working tirelessly to keep our community safe, and we continually prepare to be able to respond appropriately to threats against our campuses. We also strongly encourage everyone in the University community to attend our Situational Awareness Training events and familiarize yourselves with resources that provide instruction on ways to prepare for, and react to, an active threat on campus.
As I have mentioned in prior messages, we all play a role in protecting our community. I remind you that if you see something to say something by calling Public Safety immediately. It is through the partnership between Public Safety and our university community that we will remain safe.
Gerald Lewis, Jr.
Vice President, Department of Public Safety