“I share with you all the grief of yesterday’s tragic event in Parkland. These unnecessary scenes of violence leave many of us feeling a sense of hopelessness. My heart goes out to all who are affected and, more than ever, it’s a time for the NSU family to support each other and our neighbors,” said NSU President George Hanbury in a Feb. 15 memorandum sent to all NSU students, faculty and staff.
The memorandum was sent almost 24 hours after a mass shooting took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing at least 17 people and injuring several others. The Parkland high school is approximately 30 minutes from NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus. Students from the high school are known to visit NSU’s campus for certain Broward county public events like the Florida Scholastic Press Association Conference and DECA competitions which are held at NSU.
Following the shooting, NSU also hosted a Big Red Bus to collect blood to support victims on Feb. 15 in front of the Terry Building. The rest of the NSU community, including students and faculty, have also responded in several ways.
The community sends colored hearts to show Stoneman Douglas students that there are people supporting them during this difficult time
On Feb. 15, NSU’s chapter of Campus Cursive began an initiative to show solidarity with the students at Stoneman Douglas. The group set up a station in the Don Taft University Center and encouraged NSU students to participate in writing notes of solidarity and encouragement. Taylor Bertolini, junior environmental science major and president of the organization, explained that students could write a note that would eventually be sent to Stoneman Douglas after it is reopened.
Bertolini said the club contacted the school’s guidance department to find out how to deliver the message and also said that nationwide Campus Cursive chapters also want to write to the high school and will send their messages to NSU’s chapter to be delivered.
“I’m from South Florida and went to high school down the street from Stoneman Douglas. When I found out about everything yesterday, I just broke down and started crying,” said Bertolini. “And Campus Cursive just decided it’s something that we needed to do. We actually also got a lot of messages from other NSU students asking if we were going to.”
Justin Smith, associate director of residential life, stopped by the table to write a note that day. The following day he spoke about how the shooting impacted him.
“As a native South Floridian and graduate of a high school in Broward County this tragedy struck so close to home. Knowing that I have two younger sisters that are also enrolled in high school here in Broward County. I cannot begin to understand or fathom the amount of grief that the families must feel,” said Smith. “I extend my deepest condolences to all of the families of the victims, the Stoneman Douglas and Parkland Community. We are all #StonemanStrong.”
The Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA) also held a vigil on Monday evening in honor of the high school. Alex Lopez, senior marketing management major and USGA president, said that the vigil was meant to represent both the victims of the shooting and the fact that it could have happened at NSU.
“We want this vigil — especially because Stoneman Douglas is so close to home and these students have been on our campus before. It only makes sense that NSU stands together as a community and supports them,” said Lopez. “This is especially important because we have NSU students that graduated from Stoneman Douglas. We may have parents in graduate programs. Someone here has been affected, so as a school we should show solidarity.”
Lopez, who is also a South Florida native, said that the shooting is having a large impact on campus.
“Everyone knows somebody who knows somebody that’s been affected [even if you’re not from the area]. I think that kind of shows how close of a community NSU is,” said Lopez.
Bertolini also saw a shift on campus.
“I think that it’s humbling us,” she said. “It’s making us realize that this could honestly happen anywhere and we’re blessed that it hasn’t happened here. I just think that it’s making us reflect a little bit more at the end of our day.”
Scott Poland, Ed.D, professor in the College of Psychology, has led multiple national crisis teams following school shootings. He said that whenever an event like this happens, it can have an impact on individuals, but when the tragedy happens in our own area, it can make it much more difficult. For that reason, Poland said it’s normal for students to feel frustrated, confused or even a little depressed, so students should also make sure that they are taking care of themselves.
“Identify who or what has helped you before,” explained Poland. “Things like family, friends and faith and return to them. Try to make sure you get enough sleep and keep up with your routines.”
Students, staff and faculty have resources available to them through the university to help them grieve or process these events. Hanbury cited in his memorandum that staff and faculty can utilize the Employee Assistance Program by going to resourcesforliving.com or by phone at 877-398-5816. The Employee Assistance Program username is ICUBA and the password is 8773985816. Students can make a free appointment at Henderson Student Counseling Services by calling 954-424-6911 or can call the 24-hour hotline at 954-262-7050.
