This is a difficult time for our community. The violent death of fourth-year student Yeardley Love has left her many friends, classmates, and teammates grief-stricken. Many of us are in shock as to how such an act could occur.

Yeardley's death comes at the end of a year marked by other student deaths and acts of violence within the community. At the University-wide memorial service last Friday, we remembered the lives of six of our fellow students who had passed away during this school year. Little did we know that we would experience another loss so soon within our community.

Student Council feels it is important to come together during this sad time. As a means of uniting the entire community, we will be holding a candlelight vigil tomorrow evening, May 5, at 8 p.m. in the Amphitheatre. President John Casteen, Fourth-Year Class President Sarah Elaine Hart, and I will offer brief remarks, accompanied by musical tributes and the candlelight vigil. The program will last about an hour and is open to all.

Although I know this is a busy, stressful time for students just as we start exams, I hope you will come tomorrow evening for this opportunity to reach out to one another in comfort, support, and unity.

For more information, please visit www.uvastudentcouncil.com.

Sincerely,

Colin Hood

Student Council President

colin.hood@virginia.edu