In response to horrific news of a mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016, President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous shared this message with the campus community:
We are deeply saddened by the senseless and appalling act of terror and hatred that took so many innocent lives early Sunday morning in Orlando. On behalf of the UMBC community, we express sympathy for the families and friends of the victims, the people of Orlando, the LGBTQ community, and all victims of terrorist acts across the globe.
This horrific act of violence and intolerance impacts our own UMBC community. We remain committed to ensuring a safe environment for our students, faculty, and staff, and we value the contributions every individual makes to our campus. We are reminded of how important it is to support one another, across boundaries of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and sexual orientation, and we hope that our culture of inclusiveness and acceptance at UMBC will be a source of strength as we stand together to uphold our collective values.
As we consider the difference the UMBC community can make during this challenging time, we encourage students, faculty, and staff to take advantage of the following campus resources:
- LGBTQ Faculty/Staff Association: lgbtfsa@umbc.edu
- Counseling Center: (410) 455-2472
- International Education Services: (410) 455-2624
- The Mosaic and Interfaith Center: (410) 455-2686
- Women’s Center: (410) 455-2714
- Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs: (410) 455-2393
Our thoughts are with the individuals and families affected by this tragedy.
UMBC’s LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association has also issued a statement. “It is very clear,” the group writes, “we must continue to fight for the lives and dignity of all members of our community.” Read the full statement on the group’s website.
Image: Flags and students in the UMBC Commons. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.
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