Dear Members of the 亚色视频 Campus Community:
In the reflective and somber moments following the March 12, 2026 horrific tragedy, I have met with many groups and heard from many individuals. I have regularly walked across our campus and with our community hearing your direct experiences and personal stories. Above all else, I have deeply felt the significance of the concerns and feedback shared regarding the need for safety and security, while retaining an open campus and preserving the soul of our University.
As I reflect on our nearly 100-year history and contemplate our collective healing journey, it is clear that we have reached a defining moment. We must ensure that 亚色视频 remains a sanctuary for learning, a flagship for excellence, and a beacon of hope for past, current, and future Monarchs. In order to do so, we must be united in our relentless commitment to support each other and advance our institution.
Our current reality is that true healing requires real answers. As I shared on that painful day of March 12, 2026, we will be conducting an independent review. The University has engaged a core team from the Cooley law firm to conduct an independent review of the incident, as well as the safety and security of the campus. The Cooley team is led by lawyers with decades of experience conducting independent investigations and includes a former federal prosecutor. This team, led by Rebekah Donaleski and Michael Sheetz, is already at work. You can learn more about their expertise and leadership at /sites/default/files/2026/documents/independent-review-cooley-core-team-leads.pdf.
Cooley has conducted internal reviews and investigations for major public and private companies and universities and draws on a team that has experience with the most sensitive public and policy matters. This seasoned and skilled team has worked on prior engagements together in which they have exhibited unwavering integrity, great synergy, and proven results.
This is not merely a procedural step; it is a moral imperative to ensure the safety and security of every member of our campus community remains first and foremost. The independent review will be rigorous and focus on critical procedures; overall preparedness; and our response. The independent review will include a thorough look into the circumstances leading up to the tragedy and a deep dive into our safety policies and active shooter training to ensure our protocols are as robust as our community deserves.
As the independent review will be comprehensive, it will span the remainder of the Spring semester and into the summer months. This timeline reflects our promise to you: we will not rush the process, and we will not overlook the details. This University will be guided by the findings and recommendations to ensure that we emerge from this stronger with a sustained focus on safety and security.
While our continued journey toward healing will be marked by challenges, I am filled with hope, and I see that same level of hope in the resilience of our students, the dedication of our faculty, and the support of our staff. Even in our University鈥檚 darkest hour, our commitment to advancement and our momentum for progress remain strong!
Forever Monarch Strong,
Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President
