Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community:

As most of you are aware, a terrible incident took place on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia this morning that has resulted in a number of deaths and injuries in the Virginia Tech community. I have written to President Steger there to express the condolences and support of the Georgetown University community.

At 8 p.m. this evening, there will be an ecumenical, interfaith prayer gathering in St. William's Chapel in Copley Hall for members of our community to gather and pray for those who have been affected by this violence. Another ecumenical, interfaith service will be held tomorrow at noon in Sellinger Lounge, and details about that will follow from the Office of Campus Ministry.

In times of such deep sadness, our campus community supports its members in an important way through the pastoral services offered by Campus Ministry and the counseling services offered through our Counseling and Psychiatric Service (CAPS) program for students and Faculty and Staff Assistance Program for faculty and staff. I encourage anyone who feels a need for these services to take advantage of them. Appointments at the Counseling Center can be made during business hours by calling 7-6985. In the event of an urgent need after hours, you may call 444-7243 and ask for the CAPS clinician on call. The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program can be reached at 7-2409. Campus Ministry chaplains can be reached during business hours at 7-5259, and after hours, the Chaplain-in-Residence on call can be paged at 668-3195.

While this incident at Virginia Tech appears to have been isolated, Georgetown has taken appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of our community. We have been in communication with the Metropolitan Police Department to coordinate as needed, and we have increased Department of Public Safety (DPS) patrols on campus as a precaution. DPS can be reached at 7-4343. Members of the University's Emergency Response Team are also in communication.

I hope you will join me in continuing to keep the Virginia Tech community in your thoughts and prayers at this extraordinarily difficult time.

Sincerely,

John J. DeGioia

(April 16, 2007)