Dear Penn State Community,

The horrific violence and terror unfolding over the last few days in Israel and Gaza has the world in great distress. Our thoughts go to those being impacted by the bloodshed, the innocent lives lost and their loved ones, and the millions of people who are living in fear for their safety.

Many in our own Penn State community also are feeling the impact of this escalating violence. We have students, faculty and staff who call Israel and Gaza home, and we have already been in touch with them directly to offer support. We know others have families who live there and still many more identify with the region in some way or another — ethnically, culturally or religiously. We grieve with you over this unspeakable tragedy and offer our support to those within the Penn State community who are being impacted by these events.

We call on all members of the Penn State community to offer comfort and support to our classmates and colleagues. These profound events can cause sadness, fear and distress and we recognize the great need within our own community to support those who are hurting. Penn State offers a number of resources, such as counseling, for students, faculty and staff who wish to take advantage of them and we are reaching out directly to many groups to make them aware.

As an educated community that works to create not only an inclusive society, but also a greater understanding of our complex world, we urge Penn Staters from all backgrounds to come together to discuss our shared humanity, to comfort those in need and to most importantly, hope for peace.

Neeli Bendapudi
President

• Counseling and Psychological Services can respond to students’ emotional and psychological needs that so often arise in such moments. Visit https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling
  or call 814-863-0395 at University Park, or visit Commonwealth Campus location for campuses. 
• Student Care and Advocacy supports students in crisis and can help connect you to various resources that offer a range of support.  Please do not hesitate to visit their site at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/studentcare or reach out to them at 814-863-2020, or at StudentCare@psu.edu.
• The Center for Ethical and Spiritual Development and its affiliate staff are also available and offer a welcoming, safe, inclusive environment to support you: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/spiritual
• Penn State Global knows international students contribute to the vibrant global community at Penn State.  The site provides information for international students, highlighting support available https://global.psu.edu/category/international-students
• There are a number of student organizations across Penn State that can offer support and resources as well. For University Park, visit https://orgcentral.psu.edu/organizations. For campuses, visit Student Life online at each campus or visit https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/get-involved/student-organizations to browse by campus.
• Penn State’s Employee Assistance Program, a free, confidential employee and family resource to be used as the first line of defense for personal or work-related concerns for employees and their families.