Chancellor Gary S. May issued the following statement today (Aug. 4):

We wish to express our deepest sympathies to the victims of the shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, this weekend. 

The instances of gun violence over the last week — including close to home in Gilroy last weekend — have left the nation stunned and horrified once more. Gun violence has been a public health hazard for far too long, and we cannot become numb or complacent to it. 

The Violence Prevention Research Program based at UC Davis studies the causes, consequences and prevention of violence, particularly of firearm violence. This work is more crucial than ever.

We mourn with communities around the nation that have been devastated by gun violence. We share the frustration of inaction. We ask how many more people have to lose their lives to gun violence before we do something about it. 

While our community has not been directly affected by these recent tragedies, many feel vulnerable because of the messages of hatred created by some of the assailants. If you are a student in need of support, please contact Student Health and Counseling Services. Employees who need support can contact the Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP).