Message from President James Conneely

2012-10-23

Dear Notre Dame Students, Faculty and Staff:

I wanted to take a moment to send a message to the entire community with an update about the incident that was reported to you last night. First, please keep the student who is dealing most directly with this act of violence in your thoughts and prayers. This individual has been treated at an area hospital and has been released; the student is doing as well as possible under stressful circumstances. We will continue to offer all the support you would expect from a caring community like Notre Dame. Please know that the staff members of the division of Student Life—including residence life, counseling, and campus ministry—are prepared to offer guidance, counseling, and support to any NDMU student who reaches out to them at this time. 

Second, let me assure you that both the Notre Dame Office of Public Safety and the Baltimore City Police Department are treating this incident and your ongoing safety as critically important. Additional campus security staff members are now on duty, patrolling campus and maintaining high visibility. We are working closely with Loyola University’s security team to assist with extra patrols, and Baltimore City Police have also committed to heightened presence in this area.  

While this vigilance is absolutely what we want to do to provide for your comfort and ensure your safety, please remember to follow all precautions outlined in earlier communications:

• use the “Buddy System” when walking after dark, both on campus and off campus;
• call for a campus escort after dark (call 410-532-5360 or dial 0 from any campus phone);
• know where all the blue security phones are located; and
• don’t hesitate to report any suspicious individuals or behaviors by dialing “0” or  #6666 from campus phones or dialing 410-532-5360.  (In fact, it would be a good idea to save this number on your cell phone!)

I was pleased to receive a call earlier today from the Baltimore City Police to assure me that the police commanders will give our campus their full attention as the investigation unfolds. You should expect to see Baltimore City Police on or around campus – this is a good thing, and part of a planned response. 

Finally, anyone with information that could assist with this investigation should contact Baltimore City Police at 410-396-2455 or the Notre Dame Office of Public Safety at x6666. 

I am deeply grateful to all those who came together to ensure that our response was immediate and effective. As this long day draws to a close, I have no doubt that we are a community unified in offering compassion and support to those in need, ensuring that we are doing everything possible for a safe and secure campus, and collaborating with one another to keep communications open and honest.   

Sincerely,

Jim

James F. Conneely, Ph.D.
President