President Teniente-Matson’s Message to Campus Regarding Michigan State Shooting

Editor’s note: The following message was shared with the SJSU campus community on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Dear Spartan Community,

We begin this day with heavy hearts, grappling with the devastating news of Monday night’s campus shooting at Michigan State University that resulted in the death of three people and serious injuries to at least five others.

We mourn for and with our fellow Spartans, and our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of those killed and injured. Our SJSU community stands with the community of East Lansing as they grieve, heal and move forward.

Details continue to emerge, but the fact that such violence took place on a college campus, causing fear, terror and disruption to the routines of daily life that we all know well hits particularly hard. It is an unsettling reminder that no community is immune to the gun violence that plagues our nation. That it continues to happen with such alarming regularity — this was the 67th mass shooting of the year in the United States — is heartbreaking and unacceptable.

This senseless violence understandably shakes our own sense of security, even as our University Police Department (UPD) Chief Carroll, his team of SJSU safety officers as well as university leaders have put in the preparation and care to protect our own campus. Please be assured that we put the highest priority on the safety of our students, staff, faculty and surrounding community as our students pursue their dreams and go about their lives on our campus. 

• SJSU has a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) consisting of members from Counseling Services, Student Conduct, Student Affairs, Faculty Affairs, Housing and the University Police Department that evaluates conduct, behavior and potential threats.
• All UPD officers are trained in active shooter response and have trained with other police departments, fire, paramedics and educators. 
• UPD works closely with the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center and the SJPD Intelligence Unit to share information and evaluate threats.
• UPD provides Run, Hide, Fight training. The training is available on our website.
• Join UPD’s “Conversations With Police and the SJSU Community,” a monthly discussion UPD department updates and issues affecting the campus and surrounding community in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Library, Room 225 on February 27 and via Zoom (ID:  856 0195 9203, Passcode: SJSUPD).  

Additionally, we rely on all of the members of our community to be attentive and vigilant. If you see something, say something and inform campus police or leadership of any unusual, suspicious or threatening behaviors. 

• For on-campus emergencies 24/7, please call the University Police Department directly at 408-924-2222. You can also reach University Police by dialing “911” from any campus phone or by utilizing one of the Bluelight phones located throughout campus. When off campus, please call “911.” 

As we process this tragedy and ask the inevitable questions of why and how this could have happened, know that we have resources available for those in need.

• Students in need of support and/or having a mental health emergency and in need of immediate assistance please contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). There is always a staff member available to assist you. Please call 408-924-5910 or visit them at sjsu.edu/wellness. All services are offered either in person or online through confidential video or phone sessions. 
• Call the CAPS main number 408-924-5910 after hours and press 4 to connect with after-hours crisis services.
• Employees in need of support are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program.

We will keep the Spartans of Michigan State in our hearts today and in the days to come.

Sincerely,
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson