The University of Virginia canceled classes and other formal academic activities for Tuesday, as it continues to work through the emotional toll of a Sunday night shooting on Grounds that left three students dead, two wounded and another charged with murder.
In a message to the University community Monday afternoon, President Jim Ryan and Provost Ian Baucom said the decision to cancel classes a second consecutive day was intended to “give our students the opportunity to reflect, mourn and gather with each other.”
“We have also asked deans and, through them, the faculty to be as flexible as possible with respect to students, assignments and attendance,” the message said.
Students and University leaders also are developing plans for a University-wide vigil to honor the victims and provide members of the University community an additional place to gather and to support one another. Final plans will be announced later.
The UVA School of Nursing invited students and others in the University community to a gathering at the Fontaine Resilience Garden and McLeod Hall common areas at 10 a.m. Tuesday, weather permitting.
“There, we will have warm drinks, food, and some furry friends, including Kenny, the school’s therapy dog,” Dean Marianne Baernholdt wrote. “Come to talk, listen, cry, hug, be heard, and be together. We will support one another.”
UVA Emergency Management officials on Monday afternoon announced that a family and community assistance center has been set up at 505 Edgemont Road, at the intersection of Edgemont and McCormick roads. The center will provide mental health services for those who seek them.
The moves come after three members of the UVA football team were shot and killed Sunday night on Grounds, while two other wounded students remained hospitalized Monday afternoon. Another student, Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., was arrested late Monday morning in Henrico County. He is charged with three counts of second-degree murder and using a firearm while committing a felony.
The shooting locked down Grounds for nearly 12 hours and led to the cancellation of Monday night’s men’s basketball game against the University of Northern Iowa at John Paul
Jones Arena. The ROTC cadets’ annual POW/MIA vigil, slated to start Monday afternoon, was also canceled.
No new dates were announced for either event.
UVA Student Council offered students a chance to gather in the aftermath of the shootings at the Newcomb Hall Ballroom, Gibbons House and the 1515 student center on the Corner, where counselors were on site to support students, council officials said.
UVA Health clinics and UVA Medical Center clinics in Charlottesville and throughout Central Virginia will reopen Tuesday after being closed on Monday. Other operations continued as usual at UVA Medical Center.
Dining halls, which also were locked down, reopened Monday at midday after authorities determined the shooting suspect was no longer on Grounds.
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Article Information
December 22, 2024
