Events in Minnesota

Dear students, faculty and staff,

After a peaceful march in Minneapolis yesterday, today our state has been rocked by violence as another person — Alex Pretti, a 2011 graduate of the University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts — has been shot and killed by federal agents.

Our hearts and support go out to all those close to Alex. We are all grieving today for the loss of life. We grieve alongside his family and those close to him.

There are no guidebooks to offer a clear path through this time. However, the University is built on a foundation of inclusion, community, belonging and safety, and those are the values we return to in difficult moments. We know the impacts of these actions will affect our campuses and communities in different ways.

We want to urge each of you as individuals to take care of yourselves and for all to continue to exhibit calm during these unprecedented times. Tensions may flare in your neighborhoods and on our campuses in the coming days.

Separate from this morning’s events, during this anxious and chaotic moment, there are many rumors swirling. Please be careful to double check to be sure the information you hear and see has been verified by a credible source before you pass it on.

Please stay safe, remain peaceful and care for each other.

We will continue to communicate with you as we monitor all facets of this situation. At this time the Twin Cities campus — both in Minneapolis and St. Paul — and our campuses across the University are calm. We will update you as we learn more and the situation in Minneapolis evolves.

As you process what’s happening, take time to connect with those close to you. The University also has resources to support you, whether you are a student or an employee, from information about our response to federal actions to mental health help and so much more.

Take care,

Rebecca Cunningham
President

Gretchen Ritter
Executive Vice President and Provost

Gregg Goldman
Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations

Ken Horstman
Vice President for Human Resources