Nov. 5, 2021
Dear Campus Community,
Three years ago, our communities were overwhelmed by an unimaginable tragedy, creating a forever-bond born out of grief, trauma, and loss. On Nov. 7, 2018, the Borderline Bar & Grill mass shooting in Thousand Oaks resulted in 12 lives lost to another senseless act of targeted violence. As a community, we will continue to mourn the loss of Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus, Sean Adler, Cody Coffman, Blake Dingman, Jake Dunham, Alaina Housley, Daniel Manrique, Justin Meek (CLU Alum), Mark Meza, Kristina Morisette, Telemachus Orfanos, Noel Sparks, and reflect on the experiences of the over 50 CSUCI students in attendance that evening; several who are still taking classes this semester. I know that many members of our campus also had loved one’s present.
As we reflect over the past three years and everything that has happened since that time, our collective trauma, grief, and heartache has stayed with us in many ways and has been exacerbated by continued acts of targeted violence, racial and social injustices, and of course, a global pandemic. Looking back, what I remember most - especially as someone who was new to the campus - was how we concurrently navigated a mass shooting, the assault on a student, and the Hill and Woolsey fires and subsequent campus evacuation. The outpour of support from sister CSU’s and local community colleges offering mutual aid, the faculty, staff, and students who demonstrated such a strong conviction as a community of care, and our ability to create space for both the pain and healing was profound.
This anniversary may be difficult for many of us, but please know that you are not alone. Our campus community is here to support you, and we are working to be agents of change so that such acts of targeted violence do not happen again.
We recognize that support comes in many forms and has no boundaries for when and how it is needed. If you are interested in counseling resources that are available to you, please refer to the information below:
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is available for all students, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to them. For 24/7 counseling support, you can call them at 805-437-2088.
For information on counseling services for our faculty and staff, please visit the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) webpage. For 24/7 counseling support, you can call LifeMatters at 1-800-367-7474.
Also, please find below a list of events occurring in the community and on campus. I hope you consider attending these events and find solace in gathering together in solidarity.
Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. Borderline Strong Event
- This event will take place at Conejo Creek Park (1379 E Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks) with live music, dancing, and food with proceeds to be donated to the Borderline Strong Foundation.
Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. Day of Remembrance
- This celebration of life will also be held at Conejo Creek Park (1379 E Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks) in the Healing Garden, and will offer an opportunity to honor the lives of the Borderline 12, the survivors, and first responders.
Dec. 2 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Borderline Remembrance & Bench Dedication
- This event will be held on our campus and is open to the survivors, alumni that were present, and members of the campus community.
- A bench will be dedicated to pay respect to those impacted in the Ralph Bliss Courtyard located next to the Bell Tower and CAPS will highlight the mental health resources for students.
I am so proud of the perseverance of everyone who was impacted that tragic evening, especially our students who continued with their studies and honored those who lost their lives by making good on their educational opportunity and meeting their graduation requirements. Our Dolphin Pod is strong and resilient. Through our collective compassion and empathy, we demonstrate that we can persevere in the face of adversity and emerge stronger together.
Sincerely,
Richard Yao, Ph.D.
Interim President
The University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any kind of accommodation, or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the following offices as soon as possible: Students: Disability Accommodations & Support: accommodations@csuci.edu. Employees: human.resources@csuci.edu. General Public: titleix@csuci.edu.