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Monday 18 March 2019 1:45pm

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"Heart strings" have been hung on the Dunedin campus for students and staff to post messages of reflection and support following the tragic mosque shootings in Christchurch on Friday which have claimed 50 lives.

Drop-in centres and tribute areas have been established for staff and students on the Dunedin and Christchurch campuses – aiming to provide support and a place to respond – following the tragic mosque shootings in Christchurch on Friday which have claimed 50 lives.

In Christchurch room 708 or 710 in the main campus building has been opened as a drop-in place for staff and students to give and receive support. A prayer room has been established in the hospital chapel for Muslim daily prayer, and an area in the Christchurch campus’ main building foyer has been set up as a reflective space with a tribute book to express messages of condolence and support.

In Dunedin, there is a drop-in centre in the Main Union Common Room, manned by a range of support staff from across the University and the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA), for those needing a space to talk about their feelings and reflect.

There will also be daily meditation sessions offered to all – with those interested asked to meet at the Main Union Common Room drop in centre at 12noon.

In addition to these services, the Student Volunteer Centre is providing a space for people to respond – with a temporary installation of heart-strings between the trees on Richardson Lawn for people to write and hang their messages of sadness and support.

"My heart goes out to all members of the Muslim community, including members of the University’s Muslim Association. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Muslim community with love and support."

Following news of Friday’s tragic shootings, the University cancelled its planned 150th “colours” parade – which was to be held on Saturday – as a mark of respect. It is likely to be rescheduled for another time.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne has expressed her heartfelt support for the Muslim community following Friday’s events, and her pride in the way University of Otago staff and students have responded over the last few difficult days.

In an email to all staff and students, she said: “My heart goes out to all members of the Muslim community, including members of the University’s Muslim Association. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Muslim community with love and support.”

While all of the staff and students on the Christchurch campus are safe, Professor Hayne acknowledges that this is a very small country with a close-knit community and everyone will undoubtedly know someone who has been deeply affected by this atrocity.

“I think that this is a good time for all of us to reflect on what we stand for at the University of Otago. Whether you or your whānau arrived on a waka 850 years ago or in an airplane last week, you are welcome here. We are a community that embraces people of all cultures, of all religions, and of all sexual orientations and identities. We have no tolerance for prejudice of any kind. We celebrate diversity and freedom in Aotearoa. We stand together as one whānau.”

She says the response of Otago staff to the unfolding events has been moving.

"As a close-knit campus that has experienced some adversity over the years, we need to look out for each other."

“I am extremely proud of the way in which Otago staff and students have responded over the last few days, showing outstanding leadership and kindness to each other and to the wider communities in which they live.

“The healing process will take time, but I am confident that we will get through it together.”

Christchurch Dean Professor David Murdoch has backed up the Vice-Chancellor’s sentiments in an email to his campus, encouraging staff and students to be kind, caring and supportive of one another.

“As a close-knit campus that has experienced some adversity over the years, we need to look out for each other. What is also crucial is to take care of ourselves. A number of you may have been especially impacted by Friday’s events. It may be important for you to take time to be with friends and whanau. If this is the case, please let your manager, supervisor or main teaching contact know.”

Wellington Dean Sunny Collings has told her campus that support is available to all staff and students, wherever they may be based.

“I also extend my thanks to all of you who have rallied around on Friday and over the weekend to provide support for each other. Take good care of yourselves and others as we head into the week,” she said in an email to staff.

“He waka eke noa
We are together in a single waka.”

The University’s EAP phone counselling service is available 24/7 for the next week for anyone who wishes to use it: Ph: 0800 787 286. This service may be extended if needed.

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