Like many of you, I am searching for answers – both on a personal level and as university president – to last Wednesday’s tragedy on our campus.

Although it was an isolated incident, the death of a student affects us all. Scott Hawkins was a young man who, by all accounts, was enjoying Sacramento State. He was taken from us far too soon, and I join the entire university community in expressing my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

As the investigation and the grieving process continue, it is important that we reach out and seek help whenever it is needed.

We know that it can take a long time to return to normal after a tragedy of this magnitude, so in the days, weeks and months ahead, counselors from the Student Health Center will be available to help students on a walk-in basis or by calling 278-6416. Faculty and staff can obtain counseling services by calling the Employee Assistance Program at 278-5018.

The sudden and shocking nature of this tragedy has made the past week even more difficult, so please don’t hesitate to seek help if you need it.

We will also do everything we can to provide all the information we can to the campus community. Public Affairs has created a website www.csus.edu/pa/campussafety for the latest news.

I know that there have been many media inquiries across our campus, and we have given regular updates to the various news outlets in an effort to minimize disruptions to you. If you are contacted by the media, you may refer those calls to Public Affairs at 278-6156.

When I arrived on scene last Wednesday, Sacramento State officials were working in unison with other public safety agencies, and our staff had already begun to help the students affected by the violence.

We continue to cooperate fully with the Sacramento Police Department and Sacramento County District Attorney’s investigation of the incident, and we are assisting them in any way we can.

I commend Sacramento State’s police force for their response and bravery. They followed our procedures exactly as they had been trained and made every attempt to subdue the suspect without using deadly force. They used their weapons only after these attempts had been exhausted and their own lives were at risk.

The officers on scene courageously placed themselves between life-threatening danger and the rest of the campus. We owe them a debt of tremendous gratitude.

Our Student Affairs staff also responded well to a terrible situation. Residence hall personnel helped to ensure the safety of students near the incident, and our counselors were available throughout that night to help those who needed services.

Wednesday’s tragedy has brought a sense of grief so profound and so baffling to our campus that I fear we will never truly understand why this horrific attack occurred. Although nothing can adequately explain such an unnecessary loss of life, we will continue to search for a motive.

I am deeply saddened that both young men involved were Sacramento State students.

As president, I take very personally the safety of our students. I am committed to learning all we can from this terrible event, and if any changes need to be made, I assure you that we will make them.

I offer my thanks to everyone who has helped us in the week since the tragedy, and I want everyone to know that we are here to offer any support we can.