In the hours following a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego where three men were found dead in a suspected hate crime, San Diego Community College District Chancellor Greg Smith shared a statement with the SDCCD community, recognizing that many people are close to the mosque, and that there is support available for those who are grieving.
“Members of our SDCCD community had children in school at the Islamic Center this morning,” Smith said in an email sent at 10:23 p.m “Members of our SDCCD community attend prayer and religious events at the center. Members of SDCCD community have deep, lifelong connections to the Mosque.”
Smith also shared his support and grief for those within the Muslim community.
“(The SDCCD community) will unite in our support for our Muslim community,” Smith said. “We will demonstrate our collective resolve to embrace love over hate and unity over division. We will take measures to protect against any such actions at our colleges and district.”
City College Academic Senate President Mona Alsoraimi-Espiritu later acknowledged “the pain, shock, hurt and anger felt by the Muslim community” in her own email sent to the campus community at 9:12 a.m. on May 19.
“As a Muslim, I am enraged by the climate our nation’s leaders have fostered – one that has allowed this kind of hate to escalate into violence,” she wrote in the email.. “These hateful ideas have no place in our community, and as an institution of higher education, we must work harder than ever to dismantle this hate and teach a critical anti-racist framework that centers humanity, love, and community.”
Both Smith and Alsoraimi-Espiritu noted support is available to students, faculty, and staff.
A student prayer and reflection hour was held on May 19 in the City College Contemplation Room. An interfaith community vigil was also scheduled for May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Lindbergh Neighborhood Park. Both were shared with flyers circulated by email.
Among the resources shared by Smith:
For Students
On-campus mental health services are available to students at each of the colleges:
- San Diego City College Mental Health Counseling, Room A-180
- San Diego Mesa College Mental Health Services, Room I4-209
- San Diego Miramar College Mental Health Counseling, Room K2-102
- SD College of Continuing Education Be Well, ECC Campus Room 177
In addition to on-campus health and mental health services, SDCCD students have free, 24/7 access to TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform offering mental health support, medical care, and self-care tools. No insurance is required.
- Students may sign up at timelycare.com/sdccd using their SDCCD email
- TimelyCare SDCCD CrisisNow line is available without registration at 858-396-1613.
For employees
- California Schools VEBA (VEBA) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services are available to employees.
For community members
- 988 Lifeline is a suicide prevention and mental health crisis line available to the San Diego community.
This story was edited by David J. Bohnet and Briana Bush.
