Taking Time to Pause This Friday
September 21, 2021
Dear members of the Saint Louis University community,
We come to you today as three leaders within the OneSLU community who have heard repeatedly during the last 36 hours how exhausted and anguished our campus feels at this moment.
The loss of two students is unprecedented for SLU, and requires an unprecedented response.
After much discussion, we have decided to cancel undergraduate classes this Friday, Sept. 24. Graduate and professional classes will continue as planned unless you hear otherwise from your faculty members or program.
To be frank, we want to try something different.
We heard the need for a day focused on mental health and taking a break from classes to connect with each other.
Staff, faculty and students are developing a schedule of engagement opportunities, including Examen walks, trauma-informed yoga, ice cream and food, expanded on-site mental health support and more. Expect to see more information about the schedule soon, posted here.
When it lands, use that schedule to flood social media and group chats. Bring a friend or family member to yoga, invite a neighbor on a walk… engage with the programming.
Not everyone wants or even needs counseling after tragic events. We hear that from our faculty experts. We also hear them say that organizations that support healing, rest, and connection are able to foster resilient communities. So we welcome your engagement and presence on Friday.
Know that this is not the start nor the end of the University’s work to serve students. Our Student Development colleagues, and campus community, are hard at work to bring to bear greater resources and improved approaches to address the mental health and wellness needs of our students. Our faculty colleagues who are trained clinicians are raising their hands to serve. Our student organizations are eager to create space for engagement.
The mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing of students here at SLU is a priority at all levels.
You are not done hearing from us.
Our faculty experts also shared that our campus will reach another critical point in 2-3 weeks following these losses. Grief is not linear –– and it impacts each person differently –– but research indicates that for many of us, the adrenaline of a crisis will fade in the coming days and weeks and could create some challenges for us personally and collectively. We will feel tired. We may need support. We will need each other.
In that spirit, expect to hear more soon about how we will honor that time and need.
Tomorrow, consider joining us at 3 p.m. for a prayer service in College Church. Fr. David Suwalsky, S.J., Vice President for Mission and Identity, will preside. If you cannot join us in person, the service will be livestreamed here.
Until then, know that we are with you.
Mike Lewis, Ph.D.
Provost
Sarah Cunningham, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Development
Nandini Fonseca
SGA President