Message to Students from President McCulloh NCAA Tournament

Dear Gonzaga Students:

What an exciting time to be a Zag!  I am writing this morning to ask directly for your help over the course of these next several days.  Whether in Phoenix, Spokane, Firenze or anywhere, it is an amazing time and it presents an opportunity for us to be, and to reflect, the best of Gonzaga.

I ask all of us to be mindful of the fact that over the coming days, in the eyes of the local and national media, each member of our university community is representing Gonzaga University.  It is a chance to highlight the very best of who we are as a university and as members of a community that genuinely care for, and about, one another.  In light of this, I am specifically asking that each of us do our best to conduct ourselves in a manner that reflects the very best in ourselves, our pride in our student-athletes, and our University community.

Gonzaga Athletics mean many things to our community. Our athletic teams provide a source of excitement and camaraderie, invite us into a shared experience, and serve as a source of enormous pride for Gonzaga University and the broader Spokane community.  The success of our student-athletes, and the corresponding media attention, also provide a portal through which the public can learn more about Gonzaga University – it’s long history, excellent programs, and remarkable people.

This weekend, Gonzaga will continue to receive an increasing amount of regional and national media attention as a result of our Men’s Basketball success in the NCAA Tournament.  We are also in the midst of one of the busiest times of the year for prospective student visitors, and expect that in these weeks we have over 3,000 coming to campus.  This unprecedented level of national exposure provides us all with the opportunity to highlight the very best of who we are as a community.

 In light of the celebratory aspect of our Men’s basketball success, the City is putting additional attention on Gonzaga University as well.  I have been informed that Spokane Police Department officers, as well as additional campus security officers, have been retained to patrol the neighborhood and our campus community.  Law enforcement authorities will issue citations to those found violating state law and city municipal codes.  If you are asked to comply with any directions given to you by University Staff, SPD, or other law enforcement or emergency personnel, please comply quickly and politely and follow any directions as given.  Students found to be in violation of the law will, as always, be subject to all policies and procedures outlined in the University’s student code of conduct. 

As always, our expectations of our students are to be respectful of the neighborhood, its residents and to keep your fellow Zags safe.  I appreciate your commitment to keep the positive momentum moving forward in order to end this academic year on an upbeat note.

I am grateful that we, as a community, have an opportunity to reinforce and highlight on a national level the many ways in which we live our mission statement every day.  Thank you and – GO ZAGS!!

Sincerely yours,

Thayne


Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil.
President, Gonzaga University