A Message from President Hallick
The entire Pacific University community has been shocked by the terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, in which two mosques were attacked. Such violence goes against every value we hold dear. We mourn the loss of life, condemn the Islamophobia that fueled the attacks, and are in awe of the acts of heroism that saved lives on Friday.
The Pacific University Center for Peace and Spirituality and the Muslim Student Association are holding a community-wide interfaith vigil tonight to remember those killed and to discuss ways that together we can reduce hatred and gun violence. The vigil will take place at 6 p.m. on the University Center patio on the Forest Grove Campus. All are welcome.
This is not the first act of mass gun violence we have witnessed, nor is it the first act of religious hatred the world has endured, but our mission at Pacific University is to help students create a more just world. I believe that is the spirit in which tonight’s vigil has been organized.
We also encourage you to send messages of support to the members of the mosques in Christchurch. You can do that here.
If you are Muslim, we take your safety very seriously at Pacific. The same is true for other religious minority groups that have been targeted. The attack on a Jewish synagogue this past fall is still fresh. If you ever feel unsafe, please immediately call 911 or Campus Public Safety at 503-352-2230 (Forest Grove) or 503-352-7207 (Hillsboro). If you would like to report a bias incident and it is not an emergency, please do so here.
We also have other resources available if you would like to speak with someone regarding recent events.
Students may call the Student Counseling Center at 503-352-2191. For faculty and staff, our Employee Assistance Program provides services through Cascade Center. You just need to call and say you are an employee of Pacific University. Their numbers are:
- Toll-Free 1-800-433-2320
- Portland 503-639-3009
- Salem 503-588-0777
Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie, university chaplain and director of the Center for Peace and Spirituality, is also available to speak with anyone, regardless of your faith tradition. He is available at 971-322-7920 or chuck.currie@pacificu.edu.
Please reach out if there is any way we can better support you.