Campus Resources Expand To Address Concerns About Moraga Shooting
On Sunday, January 19, 2020, at approximately 7:30 p.m., three people were shot near the Starbucks in the Rheem Shopping Center in Moraga. Tragically, the incident involved a current Saint Mary’s student, a companion, and a former SMC student who was in a previous relationship with one of the victims. The former student has been taken into custody.
The Saint Mary’s community is deeply concerned about this tragedy and College leaders have stated that they are extremely grateful to have learned that the injuries of the victims are not life-threatening, and are praying for their full recovery.
To address campus concerns about this incident, the College has provided students, faculty, and staff with expanded resources, including additional counseling hours throughout the week for students in the College's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offices, onsite counseling through the Employee Assistance Program, and spiritual support through our Mission and Ministry Center and from the Christian Brothers on campus.
Campus Resources for Students and Staff Include:
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) - Expanded Hours for Students
Location: Augustine Hall Ground Floor- Drop-in counseling began Monday, Jan. 20, from 12 to 3 p.m.
- Drop-in counseling hours: Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Drop-in counseling hours: Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 1 to 3 p.m.
- Drop-in counseling hours: Thursday, Jan. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Drop-in counseling hours: Friday, Jan. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Expanded Services for Staff
Saint Mary's HR Department has provided onsite counseling services for employees.
Location: Garden/Basement Level of the Filippi Administrative Building- Onsite counseling began Monday, Jan. 20, from 12 to 3 p.m.
- Onsite counseling hours Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 9 to 3 p.m. (Contact the HR department at 925-631-4212 to arrange for a specific time to meet with the counselor.)
- Depending on the number of requests HR receives for employees to meet with a counselor, arrangements for additional counseling hours can be added during the week. Call 925-631-4212 for more information.
- SMC's Employee Assistance Program resources are also available by calling the 24/7 line (800) 834-3773
- Website: http://www.claremonteap.com/
- Company Name to Register: Saint Mary's College
- The Mission and Ministry Center offers individual pastoral care to students impacted by the incident: 925-631-4366
- Community members are encouraged to review "Taking Care of Yourself After a Traumatic Event," a self-care coping guide for dealing with a traumatic event.
- Campus Assault Response and Education (CARE) and the Center for Women and Gender Equity (CWGE)
Location: Augustine (Ground Floor)
The staff at CARE and CWEG can provide individual support for students who have been impacted by this incident. CARE Director Megan Gallagher and CWEG Director Sharon Sobotta are campus resources and can identify community resources in the area of relationship and intimate partner violence. Gallagher can be reached at 925-631-4193 and mag7@stmarys-ca.edu; Sobotta can be reached at 925-631-4171 and at ssobotta@stmarys-ca.edu.- CWEG will hold a healing circle on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. for students who wish to express their concerns about the Moraga Shooting. Call 925-631-4171 for more details.
Saint Mary’s Campus Safety Office continues to fully cooperate with the Moraga Police Department in its ongoing investigation of the incident. The College is directing questions about the investigation to the Moraga Police Department at (925) 888-7056 or (925) 888-7055.