As a student of Florida State University (FSU), this institution has been my home for the past four years. It has been a place of learning, growth, and community. It was therefore a moment of profound shock and sadness when our bond was pierced by the horrifying shooting incident that took place on Thursday.

Expecting students to return to classes on Monday is deeply troubling. Our school is a crime scene, and the trauma our community is experiencing cannot be processed in just two days. It is unreasonable to expect students to grieve, recover, and now spend their weekend catching up on academic responsibilities. This response is not acceptable, and our community deserves better.

This isn't just a campus, it's our home. 

In the light of this tragedy, we urge the university to adapt its end of semester schedules and policies out of respect for its mourning students. Specifically, we ask that finals be shifted to a remote format to accommodate those who are coping with the aftermath of this violent event. Furthermore, we request an extended cancellation of classes through the next week. This will provide students with much needed time for personal recovery, processing, and grieving.

We are not alone in our struggle. Other colleges who have experienced gun violence, including Virginia Tech, have provided similar accommodations as a part of their post-shooting healing process. We only ask that FSU offers the same compassion and care to us now. Please sign this petition to ask FSU to prioritize the emotional wellbeing and recovery of its students in this trying time.