Counseling and support available for students
Officials at CU are responding to today’s Virginia Tech shooting rampage with community outreach efforts, including counseling services in residence halls on campus.
Chancellor Bud Peterson responded to the tragedy in a statement released today.
“Our entire campus community is stunned by the terrible tragedy at Virginia Tech,” said Peterson in the statement. “I want all our CU community, parents and families to know that we are monitoring this situation carefully and that we do not believe at this time that CU students are threatened in any way.”
Counseling resource staff will be on-hand to talk about the incident and facilitate discussions for students, faculty and staff affected by the Virginia Tech incident. The talks will take place during two campus-wide counseling sessions this week.
The first session is scheduled for Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the University Memorial Center, Room 353, and the second session on Wednesday will be at 4 p.m. in Willard Hall, Room 115, at the Center for Multicultural Affairs.
CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard said students are also receiving reminders to observe basic security protocols. Students are reminded to lock their doors and never to allow anyone they do not know into the residence halls. The reminders also urge students to report anyone who acts suspiciously.
The campus is also increasing staffing and frequency of security patrols at campus housing facilities.
Residence hall staff members are being briefed on how to most effectively discuss the tragedy with students and to update all residents on all safety-related issues.
“We’re going to provide community outreach services in our residence halls this evening, and we’ll be continuing our outreach efforts as long as our students need assistance,” said Deb Coffin, assistant vice chancellor for housing administration in the same university statement Monday.
She also said the university will work closely with students who have a connection to the state of Virginia or to the tragedies.
Students affected by the shooting and who wish to contact a campus counselor are encouraged to call or visit any of the following offices: Counseling and Psychological Services, 134 Willard Hall, (303) 492-6766; Office of Victim Assistance, 217 Willard Hall, (303) 492-8855; Center for Multicultural Affairs, 118 Willard Hall, (303) 492-5667; the Office of Psychological Health and Psychiatry at Wardenburg Health Center, (303) 492-5654; and the Faculty & Staff Assistance Program, 223 Willard Hall, (303) 492-2172.
