Dear CC Community,
Our Colorado Springs and campus community are working toward healing in the wake of the tragic Club Q shooting last weekend.
Based on information from the Colorado Springs Police Department, there were no current members of the campus community who lost their lives or were physically injured at the club on Saturday. Derrick Rump, a Club Q bartender who died, was an employee of Bon Appetit at CC in past years. We wish Derrick’s loved ones, family, and friends comfort in this time of grief. We also understand staff members and an alum were at the club and escaped or left before the shooting began. We hold them and all who are affected by trauma in care and compassion.
At CC, one of our pillars is to create and nurture a thriving community – within CC and including our city, region, and beyond. We are connecting with community in this time of healing and will continue to do so in many ways, including:
- Today the Sacred Cloth pride flag was unfurled at Colorado Springs City Hall, with hundreds of people in attendance to support the LGBTQIA+ community and the message that love is stronger than hate. City and state leaders came together to talk about community and compassion.
- Youth from Inside Out Youth Services engaged in art therapy at Bemis School of Art at the Fine Arts Center today.
- Next week, there will be opportunities for students to be in a community healing space. Details will be shared soon.
- First Mondays speaker Kathryn Lofton, visiting scholar and professor of history and divinity at Yale University, will speak on “The Pulpit of Performative Reason: Transphobia as Religious Practice.” Her talk is Monday, Nov. 28, at 11:15 a.m. in Kathryn Mohrmann Theatre, or you may join via Zoom: Register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining.
- Club Q has requested that donations for victims and their families be sent to Colorado Gives 365/Colorado Healing Fund.
Multiple layers of support are available to the CC community now and going forward. If you need support, please turn to these resources.
Students can be immediately connected with a licensed mental health provider by calling the Counseling Center, (719) 389-6093 and then dialing 2. In the event of a medical or life-threatening emergency, call 911 and/or CC Campus Safety, (719) 389-6911.
Staff and faculty can access confidential support through the Employee Assistance Program, (800) 272-7255.
Local and regional resources
National resources
Additional resources
- “Coping With Grief After Community Violence,” a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) tip sheet, introduces some of the signs of grief and anger after an incident of community violence, provides useful information about to how to cope with grief, and offers tips for helping children deal with grief.
- The article “The Impact of Disaster and Mass Violence Events on Mental Health” from the National Center for PTSD describes common reactions that disaster survivors may experience. While most reactions lessen over time, some may turn into long-term and severe responses, such as PTSD.
- YOU.coloradocollege.edu, which all members of the campus community have access to with your CC credentials, has articles that might be helpful, including:
- Overcoming Compassion Fatigue has tips for preventing and recovering from compassion fatigue, as well as a self-assessment to better understand if you are suffering from, or at risk for developing compassion fatigue.
- Responding to Violence Against the LGBTQIA+ Community has articles and resources for members of the LGTBTQIA+ community and allies including self-care, tips on safely engaging in activism, and managing grief.
- Grief and Loss has a number of articles on understanding and managing trauma, grief, and loss, resources for coping with mass shootings, and information about self, community, and professional help.
We recognize the tendency to become overwhelmed with grief and anger. In this moment, please be mindful of prioritizing your healing, your joy, and your rest so that we do not lose sight of our resolve to resist hatred and create a more just world.
With compassion and care,
Kate Holbrook
Chaplain
Heather Horton
Senior Director, Student Health & Wellbeing
Rosalie Rodriguez
Senior Associate Dean for Student Equity & Inclusion
