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UTEP is #ElPasoStrong

Last Updated on August 21, 2019 at 2:30 PM

Originally published August 21, 2019

By UC Staff

UTEP Communications

The University of Texas at El Paso works hard to ensure the safety of the more than 25,000 students who pursue their academic dreams here, and over 4,000 faculty and staff. Those safety measures are not limited to what happens on campus. The UTEP team is always mindful of what occurs away from UTEP’s confines and adapts strategies to deal with major events as appropriate.

UTEP is #ElPasoStrong

Such an effort was necessary recently when tragedy played out in El Paso. On Aug. 3, 2019, a gunman opened fire on civilians at a Walmart less than 10 miles from campus. While no UTEP students were among the 22 who were fatally shot that day, the University community was nonetheless affected, as was the rest of El Paso, by this horrific attack.

Almost immediately, we began to address questions about how to help, safety and counseling services. The University utilized social media, the campus bulletin system, digital signage and other resources to keep the University community informed and assured that they would be safe on campus. Ongoing support efforts and resources are listed below.

  • Students are encouraged to speak with professionals from UTEP’s Counseling and Psychological Services on a walk-in basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in Union Building West, Room 202. In addition, the Miners Talk Crisis Line at 915-747-5302 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Faculty and staff can take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program Help Line at 866-327-2400 or eap@deeroaks.com. This service is also available 24/7.
  • The El Paso Emergence Health Network Crisis Line at 915-779-1800 is another resource for all El Paso community members.
  • UTEP Athletics has announced the #ElPasoStrong campaign, with begins at the UTEP soccer team’s home opener Thursday, Aug. 22, and will continue through Oct. 12 with the UTEP men’s basketball team’s exhibition game against the 2019 NCAA men’s basketball championship runner-up Texas Tech at the Don Haskins Center. All proceeds from the game will benefit a local nonprofit organization supporting the families of the victims.
  • Grammy-nominated singer Khalid will perform Sept. 1 at the Don Haskins Center as part of a concert to benefit the victims of the Aug. 3 tragedy.

The UTEP family has displayed unity, resilience and strength in the face of the tragedy that struck our community, and we will continue to support each other as we deal with the aftermath of this attack.

Together, we will get through this difficult time.

 

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