A plan to construct a memorial for students who have lost their lives while attending the University was presented to Student Council at last night's meeting.
According to College Rep. Tom Gibson, also Safety and Wellness Committee chair who supervises fund-raising and concept for the project, the memorial plan was drafted by Council over a year ago.
"It's a general memorial for all U.Va. students who have passed away," he said. "We take a portion of Grounds that's under-utilized and turn it into a gathering space and memorial for students."
According to Gibson, the memorial will be located in the garden behind the Small Special Collections Library and between Newcomb Hall and Clemons Library.
Architecture graduate student Mary Nelson, designer of the memorial, also spoke about the project at the meeting.
According to Nelson, the memorial will consist of a bench placed into the wall and a plaque.
"One thing we need to be concerned about is how we impact the things that are already there," Nelson said, citing the trees in the garden and the traffic flow of the nearby sidewalk. The memorial "offers a little detour off the beaten path."
Nelson explained some of the symbolism behind the memorial's design, including the decision to plant a magnolia at the site.
"I think it was important to have a deciduous tree," she said, explaining that evergreens are typically chosen for memorials. "At a University setting, it's important to have a cycle."
According to Gibson, the message on the plaque has not yet been finalized, but will most likely consist of a general statement for all University students who have died while in college.
"We want to be fair to the future as well as to the past," he said.
Gibson said the University Landscape and Arboretum Committee has approved the memorial and he expects the project to be finished before the start of the next school year.
Funding for the project will be provided by the Parents Program, which donated $30,000, and Newcomb Hall and Student Council, which each gave $2,500, Gibson said.
Michael Winn, representative from the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, raised a concern about the memorial at the meeting.
"The only thing I see, putting myself there, is a lack of privacy," Winn said.
Nelson agreed privacy was a concern, but said it should not be a major problem. She explained that the nearby staircase and plantings would help shelter people visiting the memorial.
Read More
Student Council passes resolution to uphold student voices during presidential search
By Lauren Seeliger | 11 hours agoThe resolution requests that five students be included on the search committee, and that the Board of Visitors provides key updates to the student body throughout the search process.
Senior VP for Operations Colette Sheehy looks back at her career at the University
By Brandon Kile | 2 days agoSheehy’s role involved overseeing the work of around 2,500 University employees, including custodians, architects and engineers.
Will the Faculty Senate’s no-confidence vote impact the U.Va. Board of Visitors?
By Brandon Kile | 3 days agoIn many cases, a no-confidence vote may soon be followed by steps taken to remove the leadership that may be acting against the wishes of a community.
