Dear Colleagues,

On this Monday morning, the Vanderbilt community is saddened and shocked by the horrific terrorist attacks that took place across Sri Lanka on Sunday. These attacks, which struck churches and hotels, killed nearly 300 people and wounded hundreds of others, targeting Christians coming together to celebrate their Easter traditions. We condemn these horrific acts and remain united in our commitment to living and advancing our values of inclusion and equity for every person.

Our Vanderbilt campus is a global community that cares and is devastated by the loss of lives and families destroyed by ideologies of hate and prejudice. Our community has time and again found strength, and the seeds of healing, by coming together following such hateful, violent acts to reaffirm our commitment to peace, dignity and respect.

We invite you to join us in a vigil to be held for the victims of the attacks in Sri Lanka at noon today on the grassy area near the Rand Wall. We will join together to remember those who have died, those who are wounded, and the countless families and community members whose lives are forever changed by the loss and suffering of their loved ones.

Vanderbilt University exists to advance knowledge and understanding—to create ties that bind a global community and which void the hate and prejudice that underlies this tragedy. We must continue, as individuals and as a community, to commit ourselves to our mission of teaching, research and service, which advances society and improves the human condition, leaving no room for hate and violence.

Should you need support, we encourage you to seek help through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides resources to support the wellbeing of faculty and staff members. Please call Work/Life Connections-EAP at 615-936-1327 for a confidential appointment.

We have also sent a note to all Vanderbilt students from the Dean of Students and Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence. It is included below for your reference.

Sincerely,

Susan R. Wente Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

James E. Page Jr. Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer

Dear Vanderbilt Students,

We express our deepest condolences to all impacted by the violent, terrorist attacks across Sri Lanka on Sunday.   Our Vanderbilt community is deeply saddened by these horrific attacks, which struck churches and hotels and targeted Christians coming together to celebrate their Easter traditions, killing nearly 300 people and wounding hundreds of others. We condemn these horrific acts and we refuse and reject the hatred and prejudice that motivated this violence.

We invite you to join us in a vigil to be held for the victims of the attacks in Sri Lanka at noon today on the grassy area near the Rand Wall.  We are united in our commitment to living and advancing our values of respect and safety for every person. We will join together to remember those who have died, those who are wounded, and the countless families and community members whose lives are forever changed by the loss and suffering of their loved ones. Staff from the Office of the University Chaplain and Religious Life and from the University Counseling Center will be available for counseling or conversation of any kind.

Vanderbilt University exists to advance knowledge, understanding, and peace. We must continue, as individuals and as a community, to commit ourselves to our mission of teaching, research and service, which advances society and improves the human condition, leaving no room for hate and violence.

Please know that we are here to listen, to honor the victims, and to help. Following are campus resources that can provide assistance.

Mark Bandas, Associate Provost and Dean of Students

Melissa Thomas-Hunt, Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence

Office of University Chaplain and Religious Life
615-322-2457
401 24th Avenue South
Grief Net: 615-322-6172

Dean of Students
615-322-6400
Sarratt Student Center, Suite 310
deanofstudents@vanderbilt.edu

Office of Inclusive Excellence
615-343-3697
Kirkland Hall, 121
viceprovostmelissathomas-hunt@vanderbilt.edu

University Counseling Center
Drop-In Consultations at Multiple Campus Locations
615-322-2571 (during and after business hours)
2015 Terrace Place

Student Care Coordination
615-343-9355
Sarratt Student Center, Suite 100

Center for Student Wellbeing
615-322-0480
1211 Stevenson Center Lane

Inclusion Initiatives & Cultural Competence 
UCC @ IICC Open Space, Mondays 2 to 3 p.m.
615-322-5089
Sarratt Student Center, Suite 335

Project Safe Center
Walk-ins welcome Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
615-322-7233 (24-Hour Hotline)
Cumberland (304) West Side Row

Women’s Center, Margaret Cuninggim
615-322-4843
Franklin (316) West Side Row

Black Cultural Center, Bishop Joseph Johnson
615-322-2524
Vanderbilt Place, Map

LGBTQI Life
615-322-3330
Euclid (312) West Side Row