Read: Message to campus regarding Texas tragedy

Dear SOU family,

The unthinkable has happened again. Yesterday’s tragedy, nearly 2,000 miles away at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, touched us at SOU as if it had occurred next door. This tragedy, close behind two other mass shootings in recent weeks, reminds us of the fragile nature of life and of the mental health of those who would extinguish it.

These abhorrent acts require that we lean on each other for support and offer our assistance to those who are in pain. It reinforces our obligation, as an institution of higher education, to be a place for honest debate and an incubator for change. I encourage you to engage in respectful discussions with those who are like-minded and those whose opinions differ from your own. I urge you to work to understand and to act constructively, and to never accept catastrophic events such as this as unavoidable or too distant to be relevant. We must continue to think deeply and act creatively to achieve meaningful change.

I also ask each of you to look within, and seek whatever help you may need.

• SOU students can visit or call our Student Health and Wellness Center at (541) 552-6136 to schedule time with our trained counselors. Assistance is also available from our Care Coordinators Office.
• SOU employees can seek guidance through our Employee Assistance Program, Canopy (formerly Cascade Centers), by calling (800) 433-2320 or visiting the organization’s website.

In addition, be assured that SOU has a robust partnership with Ashland Police and other law enforcement agencies. Our Campus Public Safety officers are here to ensure your safety, and they welcome help from members of our campus community. If you see or experience anything that seems suspicious or just makes you uncomfortable, please call for their assistance at (541) 552-6911 .

I ask you to demonstrate compassion and to be mindful of the friends and colleagues around you. We all feel and deal with pain in our own ways, but we can draw strength from our bond as a campus family.

In peace and respect,
Rick