Dear Colleagues, 

Maya Angelou once said, “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” In my view, this quote epitomizes how we have moved forward in the aftermath of the tragic shooting of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and the two ROTC cadets on March 12th. We are changed as an institution, but we are not reduced by that dark day.  I am indebted to President Hemphill for the empathetic and courageous leadership he has provided to help us navigate the pain that was thrust upon us that day.  That leadership, along with our longstanding track record of resilience as an institution and a community, assures me that we will only grow stronger and more resilient in the years ahead.

Consider the following signs of our strength that have emerged:

  • Messages of hope and support arrived from a variety of places and in myriad forms—we saw these messages in emails, in cards, on the Dominion Rock, at the entrance of Strome, and in other kind and generous acts by members of our community.
  • Students returned to courses on-campus and online to ensure the sanctity of their learning environments.
  • Administrative faculty and staff helped students return to campus, relocating more than 250 class sections from Constant Hall, welcoming students across campus to their new classrooms, offering a wide range of support to all students, and continuing to administer the day-to-day operations of our institution.  
  • Our teaching and research faculty and administrative professional faculty demonstrated tremendous compassion and flexibility as they helped our students return to the important work of learning.

This last point stands out to me. In fact, I have not heard of one situation where faculty did not accommodate students. It is difficult for me to find the words to express how proud and grateful I am for the compassion faculty members have shown our students. 

I want to ensure that we demonstrate the same level of flexibility to one another that we have shown to our students. Tenure-track faculty are encouraged to review the tenure policy and consider whether they want to apply for a one-year extension on their tenure clock. Per policy, an extension can be approved if specific criteria are met. I also urge reviewers to consider the potential impact of the incident on faculty and students alike and give grace when reviewing student opinion surveys from this semester. Reviewers at all levels should consider the impact of the tragedy on individual colleagues as they conduct future evaluations. 

When caring for others, we sometimes forget to care for ourselves. My hope is that faculty and staff will take the time to consider their own needs as they continue to serve the Monarch community with the same level of compassion, commitment, and love that fosters growth and reflection. Reflecting on the brave actions of Lt. Col. Shah and the ROTC cadets instills pride and calls to mind dispositions we might consider mirroring. Two behaviors stand out: (1) they ran towards the problem and (2) they operated as a team. 

Let’s tackle future problems head on and let’s do so collectively rather than as individuals. Together, we will become stronger and more resilient. We will forever be changed by the March 12th tragedy, but we will not be reduced by it!

Regards,

Brian K. Payne, PhD

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice