SUBJECT:

Tragedy in Orlando

We are horrified and deeply saddened by the tragedy in Orlando this past weekend, and its impact on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. We condemn the violence that killed 49 people and injured 53 others at the LGBT dance-club Pulse on a Latinx night. UC San Diego responded with messages from our LGBT Resource Center, and hosted a gathering yesterday for our UC San Diego community. UC San Diego is home to many in the LGBT community, and our hearts and thoughts are with all affected by this tragedy.

It is important that we as a UC San Diego community provide space for those who are impacted, and especially those in the LGBT community.

Students and those who support them are encouraged to access the resources at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) http://caps.ucsd.edu/ or call (858) 534-3755, 24 hours a day.

Our faculty and staff struggling to make sense of this have the Faculty and Staff Assistance program available to them as well, with more information accessible at http://blink .ucsd.edu/sponsor/hr/org-chart/fsap.html or call(858) 534-5523.

We encourage managers and supervisors to create supportive spaces, as many who are part of the LGBT community may be mourning in silence due to the stigma which still impacts our society regarding issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

For those who would like to donate to support the victims’ families as they continue to grieve, the Orlando LGBT Center has set up a fund at: https://www.gofundme.com/29bubytg

During this terrible time, we honor the process of healing and reflection. Together, in support of our LGBT community, we will get through this.

Pradeep K. Khosla Chancellor Suresh Subramani Executive Vice Chancellor David A. Brenner Vice Chancellor – Health Sciences Dean, School of Medicine Margaret Leinen Vice Chancellor – Marine Sciences Director, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Sandra Brown Vice Chancellor – Research Juan C. Gonzalez Vice Chancellor – Student Affairs Gary C. Matthews Vice Chancellor - Resource Management and Planning Pierre Ouillet Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Becky Petitt Vice Chancellor – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Bob Continetti Chair, Academic Senate – San Diego Division John C. Moore Chair, Council of Provosts