May 1, 2019

Dear University of Oregon community members:

I would like all of us at the University of Oregon to take a moment to extend our thoughts and prayers to the University of North Carolina community following a shooting on their campus in Charlotte yesterday. I extend deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, and we wish those who were wounded a speedy and full recovery.

To those in the UO community who are from the region or have connections to UNC Charlotte, I encourage you to reach out to friends and peers to offer comfort and solace during this difficult time. For students, faculty, and staff members from the UO community who may feel unease or anxiety as a result of this incident, I hope you will seek support through the student Counseling Center or the UO’s Employee Assistance Program.

Acts of violence like this are reprehensible and heartbreaking. Unfortunately, they are also becoming all too familiar. We hope that a similar tragedy never befalls our campus, but we must be prepared. Our Safety and Risk Services unit offers Violence Prevention and Active Shooter training upon request. I also encourage everyone to sign up for UO Alerts emergency notifications, which is one of the key ways we communicate with the campus community during times of crisis. Also, if you become aware of a potential threat, please immediately report your concern by calling 911 in an emergency or by using our Report a Concern web form through the Dean of Students.

The University of Oregon is an amazing community of scholars, and I believe we have a moral obligation to support one another. Please use this moment as a reminder to be good to each other, reject hatred and violence, embrace our differences, and seek understanding.

Thank you.

Michael H. Schill
President and Professor of Law