Dear campus community,
We witnessed a tragic and senseless act of violence last night at one of our Big Ten family institutions. We mourn the loss of three Michigan State University students and pray for the students still hospitalized. We are thinking of the entire Spartan community.
Seeing violence strike another campus community is hard on all of us, and we are here for you. As always, our Counseling Center is prepared to offer their support, and we encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out. When tragedies occur, it is also part of our shared humanity to think about what we can do. For many of us, we look for resources, and for action.
Resources and support for our communityHere at the University of Maryland, our Office of Emergency Management is tasked with preparing for emergencies and learning from our experiences and the experiences of others. Our Emergency Operations Plan is a comprehensive plan for all types of emergencies, and we are continually reviewing and updating our practices. Just last week, members of the president’s Cabinet and UMPD participated in an active shooter tabletop exercise to improve preparedness and response and to identify areas for improvement.
The University of Maryland Police Department has developed active shooter trainings and resources, including the promotion of response strategies developed by the Department of Homeland Security. UMPD instructors are also available to meet with divisions, departments and student groups to talk more about active shooter preparedness. To request a presentation, please email UMPDChief@umpd.umd.edu. Any member of our campus community can make a report to the BETA (Behavior Evaluation and Threat Assessment) Team, a cross functional group that evaluates reports about UMD community members who are exhibiting concerning, disruptive or threatening behavior.
We encourage all UMD students, faculty and staff to make sure their cell phones are registered at alert.umd.edu to receive emergency alerts directly.
Taking action and demanding change We must be prepared, but we must also take action. This past fall, as president, I made my stance on gun violence clear with the formation of the 120 Initiative in partnership with George Mason University and the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. The 120 Initiative, named in honor of the more than 120 people who die on average each day from gun violence, brings together experts from 15 area universities to research solutions aimed at reducing gun violence.
On March 1, 2023, the 120 Initiative will host an event at the National Building Museum, the current home of the Gun Violence Memorial Project. The event will bring together experts across universities to discuss research-informed proposals to stem gun violence in our region. As a result of the event, we have great hope that local colleges and universities will take action.
On the 5th anniversary of 17 lives lost to gun violence at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida, we must plan for - and anticipate - change in our society. One where death by firearm is not our daily reality for 120 grieving families.
We firmly believe that colleges and universities play a role, and the University of Maryland will lead the way.
Sincerely,
