Student Council's representative body voted in favor of a bill at yesterday night's meeting to honor the lives of the six University students who passed away this academic year.
The bill specifically recognizes former second-year Medical student John Jones and former first-year Darden student Justin Key, who died this past November and December, along with former second-year Batten student Stephanie Jean-Charles, who died in the wake of the Haiti earthquake, and former fourth-year Commerce student Scott May, both of whom died in January.
The bill was passed in remembrance of former fourth-year College student Joseph Arwood and former Graduate Arts & Sciences student Matthew King, as well, both of whom passed away this month.
According to the text of the bill, it is intended to "extend a sincere statement of loss with the death of these students" and "attempt to improve the rights, opportunities, and quality of life of every student in their honor."
Council President Colin Hood, who sponsored the legislation, said Council would have liked to recognize the deaths of all University students who died during the past year, but the resolution can only includes the names of students who passed away while enrolled at the University.
"There are students who do leave Grounds for therapy and due to disease who do pass away at home even though they do discontinue classes," Hood said. "They're not necessarily in this bill ... [because] the University only releases that information for students who passed away on Grounds."
Council will hold its annual memorial service for deceased students this Friday at 4 p.m. Deceased Virginia Tech student Morgan Dana Harrington, who disappeared after a Metallica concert at John Paul Jones Arena in October, will be recognized along with the six University students, Hood said.
Engineering School representative Seth Kaye added that the legislation should encourage Council's Safety and Wellness Committee to consider the dangers of bicycle lanes on busy streets, given that King was struck and killed by a truck while cycling at West Main Street and Fourth Street NW.
Batten School representative John Gregory said the bill also is a good opportunity to remember the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
"I'd like us to all continue our thoughts to that stricken country and remember that work is not done," Gregory said.
Council's memorial service is open to the entire University and will be held at the Student Memorial located in the grassy area between Newcomb Hall and the south end of Clemons Library.
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