Dear students, faculty and staff,
I am deeply troubled by yesterday’s violence at the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township. While we are relieved that no lives were lost, we are holding in our thoughts the injured security guard and the first responders who were hospitalized. Our hearts are with the congregation and everyone in the surrounding community, including the many OU students, faculty and staff who call it home.
Today, I want to reaffirm Oakland University’s commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive community in which people from all backgrounds and experiences belong. We will not tolerate antisemitism, Islamophobia or any form of prejudice, violence, discrimination, intimidation or unlawful harassment. We are a community bound by shared values of pluralism and respect, and we will continue to stand firm in upholding them.
I recognize that incidents like this can have a profound impact on many of us, especially those with ties to the synagogue and community. Please know the university is here to support you. If you experience or witness a concerning incident, please report it to our Dean of Students Office. I also encourage anyone who may be struggling to visit our student services webpage to learn more about our health and safety resources, including the OU Counseling Center, which is available to all students, staff and faculty.
We are grateful to the first responders, law enforcement and others in the community who have provided support and care, including members of the Oakland University Police Department. We stand with our neighbors in West Bloomfield Township, and we remain committed to upholding the dignity and worth of all people.
Sincerely,
Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D.
President
