Message from President Pam Eddinger: Colorado Springs Shooting

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Bunker Hill Community College | Office of the President

Dear BHCC Community:

In the midst of the holiday season, we are grieving. Our peace this past week was shattered by the deadly shooting at Club Q, a gathering place for the LGBTQIA+ community in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The violence claimed the lives of five people and injured 17 others, and to add to the devastation, this happened on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day named to honor those lost to anti-transgender violence. This latest incident echoes the 2016 mass shooting at Pulse, the gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, where 49 were killed and as many wounded. The trend of violence against the LGBTQIA+ community has not abated, and the acrimonious divisions in our society have only added fuel to these senseless acts.

As a college community that grounds our work in the values of inclusion and is committed to lifting the cultural wealth and identity of all our members, we condemn this violence. As an institution, there is so much more we can and must do to create a fully inclusive and affirming environment for our LGBTQIA+ colleagues and students. We  are grateful to the LGBTQIA+ leaders and allies who have led this work on campus, but we know there is more we need to do in shaping a place of safety and belonging.

When we return from Thanksgiving, we will host a virtual gathering and spend time in supportive conversation with one another. We will process this horrific act, mourn, and find solace in community. Please join us on Friday, December 9 at 2pm. More information to follow.  

In the meantime, the following resources are available to you:  

Students are invited to connect with the counselors through the Dean of Students office and virtually visit our counselors. We also have 24/7 multilingual support through the My Student Support Program. Faculty and staff are encouraged to visit our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Lifeworks, which offers all employees free mental health services and other resources.  

Wishing you peace, 

Pam Y. Eddinger, PhD 
President
Bunker Hill Community College