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May 18, 2022

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

I hope this email finds you well. I hope that as we turn to what promises to be a very busy summer on our campus, that you are all finding some time to connect with the people that you love. It is this idea of making sure that we always seek out our loved ones, and that we comfort them as we ourselves seek their very comfort, that I write to you today.

Words cannot begin to express the shock, horror and grief that we all felt over the weekend when we learned of the murderous rampage in Buffalo, N.Y., that left 10 innocent people dead. The racially motivated slayings are just the latest in a long string of horrible shootings that have robbed families of their fathers, mothers, daughters and sons, and have taken from our communities leaders, friends and co-workers whose talents and potential can never be truly replaced.

The families who lost loved ones and the community in which this occurred need our love and support. Hatred and gun violence have absolutely no place in our country. We must do better. At our University, we must make sure that our students understand that prejudice and senseless killing based on a person’s skin color, religion or walk of life, are acts of cowardice that attempt to steal society’s humanity from all of us.

This is why, in addition to the loss of life that occurred this past weekend, we must reach out to those we know and love. Reach out and tell them that you feel gutted that yet another senseless shooting has occurred. Reach out and listen to your friends and loved ones and hear what they wish to share with you. We must continue to reach out and offer to help – to our neighbors, to our communities, to our fellow human beings who are shocked and saddened by the horrible regularity with which such violence is occurring in our nation.

If you need help in dealing with the tragedy that occurred in Buffalo, the University has resources that can help. Students can seek help from Counseling Services. Faculty and staff have Employee Assistance Program resources available to them.

The Buffalo shootings demonstrate very clearly how there is evil in the world. We can choose to fight back by supporting those who were affected. These are people who need all of our love at this moment. And let us all pledge to do more in our own community to foster a greater sense of understanding, respect, and compassion for all people, so that the coward’s way can no longer harm the innocent.  

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President