by Wim Wiewel
May 29th 2017
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Dear PSU Community,
We are relieved to hear that Portland State music student Micah Fletcher continues to recover from his knife wounds from the savage attack on Friday on the MAX train in Portland. As you have heard, Micah was one of three brave men who responded to a man verbally assaulting two young women with hate-filled and anti-Muslim taunts. Tragically, Rick Best and Taliesin Namkai-Meche died from their stabbing injuries. Their assailant is in custody.
Micah's family and friends report that he is getting better every day, and he was able to give a thumbs up from the hospital over the weekend in a photo the family shared with the media. We are thankful for his recovery and look forward to the day we can welcome him back to PSU.
As a community, we at Portland State join others across the nation who are horrified by this attack and offer condolences to the families of the victims. Our CARE team at PSU has reached out to Micah's family to provide assistance and support for his recovery. We also are providing support for his classmates in the School of Music and others with counseling and assistance through the campus Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC).
We encourage students to utilize PSU's support services when needed. They include SHAC, Residential Life staff, our cultural and student resource centers and the Dean of Student Life. In addition, staff with the Student Activities and Leadership Programs and Campus Public Safety are reaching out to student groups such as the Muslim Student Association to offer support.
Maintaining a safe and welcoming campus is our top concern. Please contact Campus Public Safety or the Office of Global Diversity and Inclusion if you encounter threats, harassment or discrimination on this campus.
In closing, we at PSU are deeply moved by the response to this tragedy. There has been an outpouring of support for the victims and their families, including financial assistance. Our political, civic and religious leaders have stood together to condemn this hate-filled attack and praise the heroic actions of Micah, Rick and Taliesin. Let's build on that solidarity and goodwill as our community moves forward together.
Sincerely,
Wim Wiewel
President