Our community is in shock, as yesterday, we learned of another senseless act of gun violence at a school. This time, it was at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the town of Parkland — just a few miles from our Boca Raton and Broward campuses. Like the shooting in Orlando in 2016, this terrible event hit particularly close to home for many FAU students and staff who call Parkland home, or know the area well and people in the community. More than 400 of our current students and more than 1,500 FAU alumni attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

We’re aware that some of our students and staff have relatives or friends who were directly involved in this situation. At FAU, we have a number of resources available to those struggling to make sense of what happened.

The FAU Counseling and Psychological Services Center has mobilized to provide services to students and staff affected by the shootings. Click here for more information. Additional resources are available by clicking here.

The safety of our students, staff and visitors is our top priority. Even before the events of yesterday, FAU recently authorized more police officer presence in the Student Union and Breezeway. We also are adding a second officer to A.D. Henderson School on the Boca Raton campus. I cannot stress the importance of the “See Something, Say Something” movement in keeping our campuses and community safe. For more information about reporting suspicious persons or activity, click here.

I know I speak for everyone connected with Florida Atlantic University when I say that our thoughts are with everyone who was affected by this terrible tragedy.