Felix Matos Rodríguez
Dear CUNY Community,
The shooting on our subway system this morning is the kind of horrifying incident that taps our deepest fears as New Yorkers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were personally impacted and their loved ones, and we pray for their full recovery.
The transit system is an integral part of day-to-day life in New York City, including for CUNY’s 300,000 students, faculty and staff. Our reliance on it speaks to our very ability to travel freely and safely and to meet the many obligations of our work, school and lives. It is very natural then to feel vulnerable and exposed, even for those of us who were fortunate enough to have avoided the trauma of direct exposure. I understand the emotions, and the difficulty that they add to the many challenges we are already facing as we struggle to restore normalcy amid a persistent pandemic.
Incidents like this bring about shared emotions but they also affect each of us in our own ways. If you are struggling to overcome anxiety and fears that were sparked by today’s event, I urge students to contact your campus counseling center or make use of the other services outlined here. Faculty and staff can turn to our employee assistance program for support.
Let this incident remind us to be especially kind, and to look out for each other.
Sincerely,
Felo