With support staff stationed outside the door, hundreds from the University of Victoria community crammed into the BiblioCafe Tuesday afternoon – to honour, reflect and remember in the face of tragedy.
UVic and the University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS) hosted the community gathering on the campus following the death of two students in a bus crash on Friday. First year students Emma Machado and John Geerdes were on their way to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre when their bus rolled over on a gravel road near Port Alberni.
Attendees are spilling out into the quad now that the formal portion of the gathering is complete. pic.twitter.com/SkLEh5sRxU
— Devon Bidal (@devonscarlett) September 17, 2019
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UVic created space for students, professors, campus staff and community members to unite and collectively process the bus crash. The families of the two students who died in the crash were on campus today.
University representatives offered give brief remarks before opening the floor to the UVSS board members.
“If you need support and haven’t asked for it, please ask for it,” one speaker said.
Students were invited to mingle and talk with support workers and build community. Attendees were encouraged to pet the big Newfoundland pup on hand as a therapy dog or enjoy a quite space.
“UVic is built on resiliency,” one speaker said to end the formal part of the gathering.
The university asked that the media not record during the community gathering.
“If you need support and haven’t asked for it, please ask for it,” says the speaker. The families of the two students who died in the crash are on campus today.
— Devon Bidal (@devonscarlett) September 17, 2019
@devonscarlettdevon.bidal@saanichnews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
