VOL. 23, NO. 18	MARCH 27, 1998

  On Fri., Mar. 20, we were shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic death of Lynda Hong, a third-year law student, and the subsequent arrest of an acquaintance of hers who has been charged with her murder.

  On behalf of the entire Columbia community, I express our deepest sympathy to Lynda’s family and friends.

  Lynda Hong was a brilliant and hard-working law student who was beloved by her classmates and teachers. Always concerned about the welfare of others, Ms. Hong was active in campus activities and had many interests and talents. She studied drawing and design at the Moore College of Art and Design, and majored in psychology at Cornell, where she also took minor concentrations in English and Women’s Studies. She planned, after receiving her law degree this spring, to specialize in corporate law and to continue to use her skills to promote justice and inclusion among all people.

  For members of the Columbia community who would like to meet with them, the counseling service as well as the various campus ministries are available. Students should call the counseling service at 854-2878 or Earl Hall at 854-1493 for this week’s extended walk-in hours or to make an appointment.

  Also available is a special information hot line that has been established to respond to questions or concerns about the tragedy. The telephone numbers are 854-3079 and 854-2658; the lines will be staffed from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.

  Details about a university-wide memorial service, which is being organized by the Law School, will soon be announced.

  This is a time for us to come together as a community. We can never make sense of this terrible tragedy. But we can and must reaffirm the values that Lynda Hong expressed in her life even as we are joined together in profound sadness in mourning her death.