West Virginia University resumed normal operations activities after sending out a “community notice” related to a concerning letter discovered on the Morgantown campus.
On Sunday, West Virginia University released the notice about a letter that had been received by university officials describing content related to suicide in public places on campus.
Executive Director of Communications for WVU April Kaull said the letter was initially found by a university employee in a men’s bathroom in the Mountainlair.
According to the notice, the letter did not make a specific threat to any person or groups, but did note Monday (Dec. 6) at noon and included locations both outdoors and an indoor location, the Mountainlair.
In light of recent local and national school safety concerns, the university issued the community notice as part of its three-tier alert system, to inform the Morgantown community campus.
“The safety of our campus community is our highest priority,” the notice read. “The university takes this issue very seriously and has consulted with regional and federal public safety officials, as well as mental health experts.”
First and foremost, the university wanted the person who wrote the letter to know they are not alone and help is available to them.
“The university cares about you and has resources available to help. While we do not know your personal circumstances, we do know this is a very stressful time of year and it can become overwhelming. You are not alone.”
On Monday, the university took several actions in response to the letter, including increased security measures across the campus. Kaull said in addition to extra university police officers around campus, particularly the Mountainlair, the university had additional staff assigned to different areas of campus and limited access to the Mountainlair by controlling which doors students were able to enter or exit. There were also extra staff on hand to assist students with concerns at the Carruth Center.
As of Monday afternoon no incidents had been reported. At around 4 p.m., the university issued another statement regarding the situation.
“We are grateful there was not an incident on campus today (Dec. 6) as suggested in the anonymous letter the university has received. It is our sincere hope the person who wrote the letter has received the help they need. If not, please call the Carruth Center at 304-293-4431 so we can help you.”
Safety experts told WVU it may resume normal operations on campus; however, as a precaution, additional safety measures will remain across campus for the rest of the semester, including at the Mountainlair.
“Not just today but every day, please look out for anything out of the ordinary on our campus and with others around you,” said University Police Chief Sherry St. Clair. “If you find yourself in a potentially concerning situation, call 911. By being alert and present, you are not only keeping yourself as safe as possible but keeping our community safer as well.”
University Police will continue to monitor and update the campus as needed.
Anyone who might be struggling with mental health issues is urged to reach out for assistance. If you, or anyone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Veterans can also call for help at the same number and press 1. The LGBTQ+ community can call 866-488-7368.
The last day of classes for the Fall 2021 semester is Thursday. Final exams will be Dec. 13-17. Winter commencement is Dec. 18. Spring semester begins Jan. 10.
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