MAY 25, 2022 — UTSA President Taylor Eighmy, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Andrews Espy and Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Business Affairs Veronica Salazar are sharing resources with the university community following the tragedy that took the lives of 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
“Our neighboring community, Uvalde, suffered an unthinkable tragedy,” the university leaders said in an email message sent today to students, faculty and staff. “Our hearts grieve for the students and teachers who lost their lives, their families and loved ones, those injured, and everyone affected by this senseless act of violence.”
UTSA is deeply connected to the Uvalde community. More than 80 of the university’s current students come from Uvalde, and over 170 alumni reside in the area. The principal of Robb Elementary, Mandy Gutierrez, is a current doctoral student, and Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent John “Hal” Harrell is a UTSA alumnus.
UTSA also has deep academic partnership programs in the area, especially through the Wintergarden doctoral program offered by the College of Education and Human Development’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and through partnerships with Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.
Understanding that many members of the Roadrunner community may have been personally affected by the Uvalde tragedy, UTSA is working to identify all of its current points of connectivity so it can reach out and support individuals and families.
“As we process this horrible tragedy in the days ahead, we encourage you to take care of yourself, check in on each other and reach out if you want or need to talk,” the email said.
Counseling is available to all UTSA students through My Student Support Program (MySSP). This resource offers support through chat or telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, on-campus UT Health Wellness 360 counselors are available in-person and virtually, and the university’s Crisis Helpline is always open at 210-458-4140, option 3.
UTSA faculty and staff may obtain counseling services through the university’s Employee Assistance Program, which offers support through various channels.
Members of the university community are encouraged to attend a virtual Community Gathering to reflect on the tragedy in Uvalde. The event is scheduled at noon on Friday, May 27.
To honor the precious lives lost, UTSA’s Monument lights and Student Union Tower lights are displaying a solemn white candle through Memorial Day, and all UTSA flags have been lowered to half-staff.
Updates will be shared on UTSA Today and on the @UTSA social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
