Letter to Virginia Tech
To Members of the Mizzou Family:
It is with great sadness that I send and post this message today as we begin to mourn the terrible tragedy that has occurred at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, better known as Virginia Tech. Prior to joining Mizzou, I spent 11 years on the faculty there and can picture in my own mind the emotional devastation and incredible loss that has come to all those associated with that great land-grant university. This afternoon, we lowered the MU flags to half staff and sent a message of condolence and support to President Steger. I anticipate that we will work with our students, faculty and staff in the hours ahead to plan an appropriate campus memorial observance.
I want to send a very personal message to our students, the parents of our students, and the employees of this University. Before any other goals, we place your safety and well-being first. I want to assure you that MU has a campus emergency plan in place, an emergency web site and an excellent campus police department that works closely with local, state and federal law enforcement authorities on an ongoing basis. Preventing and planning for emergencies has become a critical part of university management in the 21st century, and I promise you that it has our complete attention at all times.
Brady J. Deaton
Chancellor
University of Missouri-Columbia