A Message From President Hallick
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
I want to make you aware of an incident that occurred last night adjacent to our Hillsboro Campus.
At approximately 6 p.m., an adjunct faculty member from our School of Dental Hygiene Studies was forced from her car on the 2nd floor of the Intermodal Transit Facility (ITF). The faculty member was approached as she was getting into her vehicle, and she complied with the perpetrator’s demand that she get out of the car. The perpetrator proceeded to enter the car and drive off. Campus Public Safety and the Hillsboro Police responded, and I am relieved to report that our faculty member was not physically injured and the perpetrator was apprehended and arrested by police a short time later.
Earlier today, Vice Provost and College of Health Professions Executive Dean Ann Barr-Gillespie communicated details about the incident and provided information about counseling resources available to CHP students, faculty and staff. I would like to take a moment to echo Ann’s sentiments in commending the faculty member for remaining calm, thinking clearly and complying with the assailant’s demands; and in thanking CPS and the Hillsboro PD for promptly assisting the faculty member and for Hillsboro PD making a quick arrest based on the information she was able to provide.
An event like this is both shocking and disconcerting to say the least. Please know that your personal safety is very important to me and our entire administration. Campus Public Safety has a dedicated presence at both our Forest Grove and Hillsboro campuses and strong working relationships with the local police departments there. Please rest assured that CPS also has developed active working relationships with law enforcement agencies in Portland, Eugene, Woodburn and our other locations.
While incidents like these are rare, remember that we all have a part keeping our university community safe. Please continue to be alert and aware of your surroundings, both at our locations and in the nearby vicinities, and do not hesitate to call CPS or 911 immediately if you are a victim of a crime or if you witness criminal activity.
If you are based at the Forest Grove or Hillsboro campuses and wish to have a CPS officer accompany you to your vehicle or residence hall, our officers would be happy to do so. Call 503-352-2230 in Forest Grove, or 503-352-7207 in Hillsboro. When possible, try to travel with one or more friends or colleagues when you must navigate in dimly lit areas at night.
Finally, if any of you feel you could benefit from talking about your feelings following news of this incident, I encourage students to contact our Student Counseling Center, and faculty and staff to utilize our Employee Assistance Program.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our university community safe and secure.
Warmest Regards,
Lesley M. Hallick, PhD
President
Pacific University