Tragedies at the University of Idaho and University of Virginia

This weekend, two university communities have been deeply and horrifically affected by violent deaths of multiple students.

On Sunday, police discovered four University of Idaho students dead in their off-campus house in Moscow. Police are investigating their deaths as homicides but have communicated that there is no active threat to the campus or region. At the University of Virginia (UVA), a former UVA football player is suspected of killing three current players and wounding two other students on campus late Sunday night. The suspect in that case has been apprehended and taken into custody.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone at both universities – family members of the victims, students, faculty, staff and community members.

Loss of this magnitude is impossible to fully comprehend, particularly when it affects university campus communities. Colleges and universities are tight-knit by nature, places where lifelong relationships take root and defining experiences are shared. Please join with me in holding these victims in our hearts as we offer our deepest condolences to their friends, loved ones, and the communities of which they are and have been a part.

I have reached out to UI President Scott Green to let him know Gonzaga University sends our prayers and any assistance we can provide to him and to the University of Idaho during this awful time. You may wish to do the same, to offer your support to colleagues there or at UVA.

I will close by urging the Gonzaga Community to contact the Campus Security and Public Safety Office at 509-313-2222, in any situation where you feel concern for your own safety or that of others. In addition, I urge members of our campus community to seek out the following services to support them in times of fear, anger and tragedy:

Center for Cura Personalis
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(509) 313-2227
ccp@gonzaga.edu

StudentLinc
1-888-893-5462

Health Counseling Services
Monday – Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, 10:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(509) 313-4052
studenthealth@gonzaga.edu

Office of Mission Ministry
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(509) 313-4242
missionandministry@gonzaga.edu
Current students, login to myGU to connect and talk in person.

Frontier Behavioral Health Regional Crisis Line
509-838-4428
This 24-hour resource is available to provide a supportive listener, immediate help for individuals in crisis, and connection to community resources.

After Hours
For 24-hour assistance, please contact Campus Security at 509-313-2222. Campus Security will direct you to the Student Development on-call professional.

Online Resources
An online wellness toolbox is available with various resources, including a section on grief.