TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State University announced that it will now waive mandatory attendance for students who choose not to attend classes next week.
The announcement comes after FSU President Richard McCullough posted a letter to social media on Saturday, stating all classes and business operations will resume on Monday, April 21, just days after a gunman left two dead and injured six on campus. In his original post, McCullough said that he "knows it won't feel like a normal week."
"It’s the last [week] before finals, and many of you are still processing what happened. Please take care of yourself," the letter reads. "If you need time or support, reach out. Students should contact their instructors for help with classwork or accommodation. Faculty and staff should connect with their dean or supervisor."
The FSU College Democrats issued a statement expressing their opposition to the announcement.
"Florida State will open again for normal function on Monday, 4/21, just days after the mass shooting which killed two and injured six. With just one day off after the shooting, the university gave students nearly double the amount of time off for a few inches of snow earlier this semester," the statement reads in part. "We, as students, are asking that FSU put locks on all doors, provide training to all faculty and staff on active shooter response, and give students more time to grieve. We are asking that our state legislature, less than two miles away, add appropriations into the budget for mental health intervention programs and funding for active shooter response training on all college campuses. We are asking that in next year’s legislative cycle, our legislator amend safe-storage laws to require safe storage protocols to be followed when there is any person in a household who cannot legally obtain a firearm, not just for minors under the age of sixteen. We are asking that Congress take steps to reinstate the office of gun violence prevention."
Then, around 8:30 p.m., McCullough stated that while classes will still resume, they are now offering students and instructors new options.
"For example, a remote option is probable for many courses; however, there will be classes where it might not make sense (e.g. lab classes)," McCullough said on social media. "Information about any additional options for your specific class section will be provided by your instructor by Monday evening."
FSU will also waive all mandatory attendance policies that impact students' grades. Students who don't feel like they can complete a course will also have the option to request an incomplete grade.
On April 17, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, believed to be an FSU student, began shooting at random in the Student Union located on the Tallahassee campus. Shock rippled through the entire state, including the Tampa Bay area.
The shooting killed Tiru Chabba and Robert Morales. Chabba was a father of two and an employee of a campus vendor, while Morales was a former assistant football coach at Leon High School.
Ikner is in custody. Law enforcement officials confirmed that he is the stepson of a Leon County sheriff's deputy.
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