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Dear Members of the Siena College Community:
On behalf of Siena College, I have extended our deepest sympathy to President Charles Steger and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University community, following the horrific injuries and deaths of several students and faculty at their campus.
Here at Siena, our candlelight vigil and liturgies have joined us in prayer for the victims, their families and friends. We wish them all God’s grace as they face the challenging process of healing. Fr. William Beaudin’s homily should be up for you to read at the Chaplain’s Office webpage www.siena.edu/chaplain
Especially in these days, it helps to gather together, to affirm the great gift of reverence for life. News coverage of some of our services indicated the interest of people in New York’s Capital Region to be in solidarity with the community at Virginia Tech.
http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=209905
Dr. Maryellen Gilroy, vice president for Siena’s Student Affairs, was in touch with the Siena Community earlier this week about our emergency security system, in the event of a crisis.
Moreover, I want to remind our community of the many services available for the wellbeing of Siena students on a daily basis.
From the moment students arrive, they are invited to join in. Our campus programs, residential life staff and our Franciscan friars-in-residence help students enjoy activities as well as navigate some of the speed bumps of life.
Academic satisfaction is a strength in our learning community. Siena’s academic affairs office has strategies for success and satisfaction in studies. www.siena.edu/advising Of course, each student should communicate regularly with his/her advisor.
The Chaplain’s Office www.siena.edu/chaplain has been proactive with daily liturgies, prayer and spiritual counseling.
In times of sadness and personal confusion, the Center for Counseling and Student Development www.siena.edu/studentaffairs/counseling_center.asp is an essential service staffed by caring professionals. We have educational efforts to increase awareness of potential signs of risk, and make appropriate referrals.
Siena’s Safety and Security staff provides a range of services designed to foster a safe campus. As a longtime resident, I also appreciate the care of my fellow residents for the comfort of us all. Our sense of community is readily demonstrated by the way we share responsibility. This includes reminders about respect for buildings and facilities, and that our residence areas should remain secure.
If you know of any security concern, please contact www.siena.edu/security or phone 783-2376 or 911 in case of emergency.
As Dr. Gilroy explained, Siena College has an Emergency Response Team, to be formed in any major emergency, which follows a series of established protocols. College Security immediately contacts law enforcement who respond with their Emergency Management Team. All direction on emergencies would fall under those jurisdictions. Siena College staff on the Emergency Response Team would communicate the directives from these groups to the community.
Siena College has a detailed communication plan in place for notifying students, faculty and staff via e-mail, verbal announcements, phone trees, etc. In our offices of Security and Student Affairs, staff would be in close contact with students providing up-to-date information. An emergency website would direct families to specific phone numbers to reach available staff.
As our students are aware, procedures at Siena College are constantly being evaluated in order to encourage a safe and healthy community. We have learned this week that while Siena College has enhanced its technology over the past several years, real communication, one-to-one and in community, is a crucial aspect of our lives.
May God comfort the Virginia Tech Community in these days of mourning.
Sincerely,
Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, President Siena College
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