We are grateful for the information from the University of Georgia Police Department that investigators have a suspect in custody for the homicide of 22-year-old Laken Riley. The apprehension of a suspect, nevertheless, doesn’t erase the truth that a vibrant young life was senselessly taken on our campus. Laken attended UGA as a pupil till May 2023, when she transferred to the Augusta University College of Nursing at Athens. She remained actively concerned in her sorority at UGA and had many buddies right here on campus. We mourn the lack of her valuable life.
Our whole campus neighborhood is shocked and saddened by this despicable act. Many of you’re understandably scared, and all of us are offended. We haven’t skilled a murder on this campus in almost 30 years. Laken’s homicide violates our sense of security, and it’ll take arduous work and vigilance to revive it. We commend members of the UGA Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Athens-Clarke County Police Department and federal regulation enforcement companions for his or her tireless, round the clock efforts to carry the suspect into custody.
Please know that there isn’t a greater precedence for our campus than the protection and safety of all who dwell and work right here. We have put in place complete measures to guard our college students, school, employees, and friends—together with $16 million invested during the last eight years to rent extra cops, set up extra safety cameras, improve lighting, set up a nightly rideshare program, and create a UGASafe app. But we’re dedicated to doing much more. Earlier this week, we authorised an extra part of lighting enhancements and safety digital camera installations, and we are going to proceed to guage our security applications for additional enhancements. This is an ongoing and exhaustive effort.
As you realize, the tragic demise of one other pupil in Brumby Hall on Wednesday night has additionally shaken our neighborhood. As our UGA household grieves and grapples with recent occasions, now could be the time for us to come back collectively and assist one another.
Our courses will resume on Monday, Feb. 26. The pupil Greek organizations Alpha Chi Omega and Kappa Sigma are collectively internet hosting a vigil at Tate Plaza on Monday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m. to recollect the 2 college students we’ve got misplaced. This service is open to the campus neighborhood.
We additionally need to remind you of the sources which are available to assist our college students, school and employees address grief and different private challenges. A listing of sources seems beneath, in addition to actions to assist our college students over the weekend.
Mental Health and Counseling Resources
We have sources available to help anybody having ideas of suicide, and these sources can be of help to those that are grieving. We encourage college students to contact Student Care and Outreach (https://sco.uga.edu/, [email protected], 706-542-8479). Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is available 24/7 and stands prepared to help as nicely (https://caps.uga.edu/, 706-542-2273).
Below is an inventory of sources which are available to UGA school and employees:
- The Acentra Health Employee Assistance Program supplies 24/7 access to free counseling specialists for workers for psychological well being and emotional assist. Sessions may be carried out just about or in person (mylifeexpert.com or 844-243-4440).
- Anthem BCBS’ Emotional Well-being Resources program supplies assist for workers enrolled in one of many Anthem healthcare plans. Employees can schedule a digital appointment with a psychological well being specialist 24/7 at anthem.com or 800-424-8950.
- Kaiser Permanente members can get linked to a psychological well being skilled by calling 404-365-0966 or visiting my.kp.org
Weekend Activities
To encourage consolation and neighborhood this weekend, the University is offering engagement alternatives and actions. Each person processes these occasions in a different way, however Student Affairs is offering a possibility for college students to come back collectively and be in fellowship in supportive environments. Staff are prepared to help anybody persevering with to course of this previous week’s occasions and join you with useful sources.
These actions embody films and video games on the Tate Student Center and free group health courses at Ramsey, that are open for regular hours this weekend. UGA Miracle will host the Dance Marathon, benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, starting on Saturday afternoon on the Tate Center.
In addition, digital well-being sources are available. The Well-being Hub and Sensory Room on the Disability Resource Center in Clark Howell Hall and the University Health Center clinics will reopen on Monday morning.
