In the wake of "two violent incidents involving students" which occurred over the past few weeks, a letter directed toward parents of University students was posted on the University's Web site last Wednesday.
University Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Lampkin advised parents in the letter to talk to their children about these recent events.
"Parents are reading the newspapers and watching television, and when they're so removed from the community it helps them to be kept in touch," Lampkin said yesterday.
The letter referenced the Nov. 7 murder of Walker Andrew Sisk, a 22-year-old resident of the Charlottesville area, allegedly committed by third-year College student Andrew Alston, who since has been issued an "immediate interim suspension" from the University and has been arrested.
The letter also referred to an altercation at a Sigma Chi fraternity Halloween party which resulted in two University students being charged with felonious assault for the alleged assault of second-year College student and University football player Carson Ward, who remains in critical condition at the University Medical Center.
In the letter, Lampkin emphasized that student safety remains a priority of University officials. The letter also lists the names and numbers of several helpful services available to University students.
Last Thursday, in a letter to the editor in The Cavalier Daily, Lampkin urged students to "above all let common sense prevail."
Among the organizations listed were the Counseling and Psychological Services, a division of student health, and University Mediation Services, a student-run organization which facilitates conversation in a nonviolent manner.
"Because this random cluster of violence happened in close proximity to each other is not necessarily representative of a rising trend of violence on our campus," Counseling and Psychological Services Director Russ Federmanz said.
Student Health Executive Director James C. Turner emphasized that it is completely normal to be upset about similar violent incidences and that there are a number of different avenues for counseling. He recommended concerned students talk to friends, Resident Advisors, close family members and spiritual advisors.
University Mediation Services Coordinator Faith Alejandro said although they have not received an increase in calls due to recent events, they still are trying to raise awareness for what they do.
"Mediation is about fostering communication in an open and honest way -- we never judge or point fingers," she said
Mandy Pallais, the Public Relations officer for University Mediation Services, said their organization hopes to organize a town-meeting in conjunction with the Dean of Students office in December. Their goal is to start a healthy dialogue between students and Charlottesville residents about recent events and potential solutions.
The last time the University posted a letter to parents was during Hurricane Isabel.
"We post them when we have incidents that are out of that ordinary," Lampkin said.
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