AAC&U Expresses Condolences for Victims of Virginia Tech Shootings

AAC&U expresses its shock, horror, and deep sadness over the tragic shootings at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Our hearts go out to our member colleagues in Blacksburg as they cope with their losses. We offer our deepest condolences to all the families, friends, and colleagues of the many innocent victims and extend our thoughts and prayers to those recovering from serious injuries. And we grieve with all the Virginia Tech students as they work to comprehend and recover from this horrifying tragedy and intrusion into their pursuit of learning.

Educational leaders across the country work tirelessly every day to provide the safest and most nurturing environments for learning they can. American universities are known and valued the world over for providing challenging, but also open environments that, at their best, encourage free exchange of people and ideas and allow students, professors and staff members to forge strong and meaningful ties on campus and in their surrounding communities. As this sad day reminds us, our open college campuses are not immune from the violence that plagues too many communities in this country and around the world.

We know that these campus and community ties will prove invaluable as the Virginia Tech community grieves together in the days ahead.

The president, faculty members, staff and students at Virginia Tech have inspired us with their strength and compassionate responses at this difficult time. We honor their efforts and offer our best wishes and support as they lead their campus in healing and recovery.

Christopher C. Dahl, Chair of AAC&U Board of Directors and President, SUNY at Geneseo
Carol Geary Schneider, President