Virginia Tech tragedy

Dear Carolina community,

I know that all of you join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the victims and the entire Virginia Tech community following the unthinkable tragedy that occurred on their campus Monday. In times like this, it’s important for us to pull together, to support one another and reflect on all that we hold dear.

For some of you, the tragedy strikes especially close. Many of you know students in Blacksburg. Some of you earned degrees there. And although we do not yet know the names of all of the victims, we do know that one of them, Christopher James “Jamie” Bishop, Virginia Tech instructor of German, worked here at Carolina from 2001 to 2005. His wife, Stefanie Hofer, obtained her Ph.D. in Germanic languages from Carolina and also is on the faculty at Virginia Tech. Our hearts go out to her and to all of you who worked with Jamie while he was here.

It is difficult to make sense out of an event like this, but please know that there are resources on campus to help you. Student Affairs staff and campus ministers will be available in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union to provide support. Students may also seek help at Counseling and Wellness Services (966-3658). Students in residence halls can seek out their community director or resident adviser.

Faculty members may find that their students want to discuss the tragedy in class. Kathy Hotelling, director of Counseling and Wellness Services, is available to talk with faculty members about approaches to use in discussing this tragedy with students. The University's Employee Assistance Program is available for employees with concerns, and provides a variety of counseling services. Employees can call 929-2362 for confidential assistance.

No campus is immune from what happened at Virginia Tech. At Carolina, we are always looking for ways to improve campus safety. And just as we always do in the wake of a security issue on this campus, we also will learn from the Virginia Tech tragedy. We are committed to providing the safest campus environment that we can for the University community.

Our students who planned Tuesday's vigil said it best: For now, we are all Hokies.

James Moeser
Chancellor