Dear Teachers College Community,
Yesterday, an armed individual who opened fire outside the Cathedral of St. John the Divine following an outdoor Christmas concert was fatally shot by police officers standing nearby. Thankfully, no one was struck by the gunfire, and according to news reports, it was not clear if the gunman was firing into the crowd. At this moment, the area around the cathedral remains a crime scene, and the investigation of the incident and the gunman’s motives is in the early stages.
Random acts of violence anywhere are always upsetting and frightening – to survivors and witnesses, but also to those who live or work near where the incident has taken place. This incident occurred close to campus, and it is understandable for anyone in our community to feel distressed.
We encourage students to visit our Student Health and Wellness site, which is a gateway to available health and counseling services we provide. We also encourage faculty and staff seeking counseling services to visit our Human Resources site, which includes information about our Employee Assistance Plan.
By all means, feel free to contact our offices directly. (Students can write to us at studentaffairs@tc.columbia.edu
Remember: We are always here for you – and for each other.
Janice S. Robinson
Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs
Thomas P. Rock
Vice Provost for Student Affairs