August 26, 2022
Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, and Families:
Move-in day for our new students is such an important and exciting occasion ─ one during which our staff, faculty, and returning students join together to welcome the newest members of our community. I spent the morning on the Quad talking to many of you, and the enthusiasm and energy that I felt there made me even more eager to launch the new academic year. I want to thank everyone who came out this morning to make the day a special one for our new students.
Unfortunately, the afternoon was marred by a system malfunction of our campus alert software that resulted in inaccurate messages to the community regarding an active shooter. I know that many of us felt distress and anxiety when we read or heard the alerts. I am truly sorry that these false alerts transpired.
In the message we sent to the community, we confirmed that the alerts were inaccurate and the campus was not ─ and is not ─ in danger. We also immediately began investigating the inaccurate alerts to understand what occurred. We have just learned that one of the two software companies the College works with to support our alert system confirmed that the false alerts occurred because of a technical error on their part. We have been assured that the alert system is now fully intact and that we have the ability to reliably notify the campus of a real emergency.
We do want to assure you that College resources are available for anyone who has a need:
For students:
- Reach out to staff, including the Community Development Coordinators, your Class Dean, and staff in Case Management, the Identity and Cultural Resource Centers, and the Counseling Center.
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For immediate assistance, call Amherst College Dispatch at 413-542-2291.
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To help another student, you can also submit a Care Report to connect them to supportive resources.
For staff and faculty:
- Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers several resources and services for emotional and crisis support.
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As a reminder, all faculty and staff have full access to the Calm app, including guided meditations and other content designed to help with stress.
For new students: I sincerely hope that you are able to devote your energy to the rest of the Orientation programming. There are so many wonderful experiences to come as you begin your Amherst journey, and you have a large support network to help you take advantage of all that is offered. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help.
Sincerely,
Michael
Michael A. Elliott
President, Amherst College