Be Aware, Be Safe

To: The Campus Community

October 3, 2005

Sarah Channick represented everything that is good about our student body; she was smart, energetic, involved, and filled with hope for a bright future. Her tragic death last week left us shocked and sad and searching for answers. How could this happen? Who is responsible? What can we do to prevent this from happening again?

It is the sad truth that we live in an environment where each of us must rush from place to place—often while trying to do several things at once. That reality combined with the fact that vehicles and pedestrians must move side-by-side on the crowded and busy streets on campus creates an ever dangerous situation. That means everyone—drivers and pedestrians—must use constant care and caution.

Nothing is more important than the safety of our students. As we grieve for Sarah and her family and friends, we must also work together to do a better job of protecting everyone on campus. The university and the MTD already have launched an investigation into traffic and pedestrian safety that also will involve campus residents and workers.

I will do everything within my power to make the campus safer, but I will need your help to ensure that tragedy does not strike again.

Sincerely,

Richard Herman
Chancellor