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Dear Faculty,

As we prepare to reopen the Batten Arts and Letters building Thursday morning, I want to acknowledge the important role you play in supporting our students in the aftermath of the tragic loss that occurred.

We recognize that students may experience and respond to this event in very different ways. Some may have been directly affected, while others may be struggling to process what has occurred. The impact may not always be immediately apparent, and students may need additional time, understanding and support in the days ahead.

I am asking all faculty to exercise compassion and reasonable flexibility with students who may be affected by this tragedy. This includes consideration of class attendance and participation, assignment deadlines, exams and other course requirements. Please approach individual circumstances with care, recognizing that students may not feel comfortable sharing the details of their experiences. Our goal is to ensure that students have the space and support they need while continuing to make academic progress.

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Counseling Services has also provided the following guidance for supporting students following a campus loss:

• Take care of yourself. Your own well-being matters, too. Faculty members are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program at 855-223-9277 for confidential support from a clinician if needed.
• Listen with compassion. Allow students to share their feelings and concerns, acknowledge what they are experiencing and avoid minimizing their reactions.
• Acknowledge the loss respectfully. Avoid speculation, rumors or discussion of the specific circumstances surrounding the incident, and respect the privacy of the individual and their loved ones.
• Create space without creating pressure. Students may benefit from opportunities to talk, but no one should feel obligated to discuss the event or share personal experiences.
• Be attentive to signs of distress. Changes in attendance, engagement, behavior or expressions of hopelessness may indicate that a student needs additional support.
• Respond directly to safety concerns. If a student expresses hopelessness or makes concerning statements about death, Counseling Services advises asking calmly and directly whether they are thinking about suicide. Do not promise secrecy. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Police and remain with the student if it is safe to do so.
• Connect students with appropriate resources. Faculty are not expected to serve as counselors, but your willingness to listen, express concern and help a student access professional support can make a meaningful difference. Dr. Himmel's message below, shared with faculty last week by Vice Provost Janice Hawkins, outlines the mental health resources available to our students.

As we move forward, I encourage you to extend the same understanding and care to yourselves and your colleagues. Our strength as a university community is not simply in our ability to navigate difficult circumstances, but in how we support one another through them.

Thank you for the compassion and commitment you demonstrate each day. Your care for our students, particularly in moments like these, is deeply appreciated and makes a lasting difference.

Please know that I am grateful for all you do to support our students and one another.

Regards,

Brian K. Payne, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

A Note From Joy Kimmel

Dear ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Faculty and Staff,

The mental health and well-being of our students remain essential to their academic success, personal development, and overall college experience. Across the nation, colleges and universities continue to report significant levels of psychological distress among students, including anxiety, depression, loneliness, and challenges associated with academic, financial, and personal stressors. These concerns can affect students' ability to engage academically, maintain relationships, and persist toward graduation.

As we move further into the fall semester, it is especially important to remain attentive to students who may be struggling. October and the approaching fall and winter holiday seasons can present additional challenges as academic demands intensify, students prepare for examinations, and feelings of isolation, financial strain, and family-related stress may become more pronounced. While mental health concerns can emerge at any time, these seasonal pressures underscore the importance of maintaining a supportive and responsive campus community.

Faculty and staff play a critical role in identifying and supporting students who may be experiencing emotional or psychological distress. Through your daily interactions with students—in classrooms, offices, advising appointments, and other campus settings—you are often among the first to recognize changes in behavior, academic performance, attendance, engagement, or interpersonal functioning that may signal a need for support.

Supporting student mental health is a shared institutional responsibility. While faculty and staff are not expected to serve as mental health professionals, each of us has an important role in recognizing potential concerns, initiating supportive conversations, and connecting students with appropriate resources. A simple expression of concern, a willingness to listen without judgment, and a timely referral can make a meaningful difference in a student's willingness to seek help.

To support you in this important role, the Office of Counseling Services (OCS) has launched the Red Folder Campaign, an initiative designed to equip faculty and staff with practical guidance and resources organized around three essential actions:

• Recognize: Identify behavioral, emotional, and academic indicators that a student may be experiencing distress.
• Respond: Approach students with empathy, communicate your observations and concerns, and engage in supportive conversations that encourage help-seeking.
• Refer: Connect students with appropriate campus resources, including the Office of Counseling Services, and recognize situations that require a more immediate response.

We encourage all faculty and staff to become familiar with these resources and complete the interactive learning module, which provides practical strategies for identifying signs of distress, effectively intervening, and making appropriate referrals.

Red Folder Resources and Training

• Faculty and Staff Resources — Office of Counseling Services
• Digital Red Folder — Recognize, Respond, Refer

For hard copies of the Red Folder or additional information, please contact the Office of Counseling Services at 757-683-4401.

Creating a campus culture of care requires the collective commitment of our entire university community. By remaining attentive to students' needs, addressing concerns when they arise, and facilitating connections to appropriate support, we can help students navigate challenges before they become more serious and strengthen their opportunities for academic and personal success.

Thank you for the many ways you support our students each day and for your continued commitment to fostering a caring, connected, and supportive environment at Old Dominion University.

Joy Himmel, Director
Office of Counseling Services
Old Dominion University

Batten Arts and Letters Students, Faculty and Staff,

We recognize that for those of you who study, teach and work in the Batten Arts and Letters Building, the impact of today's tragic loss may feel especially close. Whether you were in the building, witnessed the emergency response or are simply trying to process what has happened, we want you to know that you are not alone. We understand that experiences like this affect people differently, and there is no single way to respond to such difficult news.

As shared in our campuswide communication, the Batten Arts and Letters Building will remain closed for the remainder of today, and all classes and operations scheduled in the building have been canceled. We ask that you continue to avoid the area as university officials complete their work. More importantly, we want to make sure you have the support you need. A reflection space will be available today from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Potomac and York River Rooms in Webb Student Center, where counselors and support professionals will be on site. We encourage anyone who would benefit from a supportive environment, an opportunity to talk or simply a quiet moment to take advantage of this space.

Additional resources are available to our community:

Student Support Resources

• Office of Counseling Services: Walk-in appointments are available at the Student Recreation & Well-Being Center (4700 Powhatan Ave., Suite 2403) and at Andrew Hall on the medical campus (712 Fairfax Avenue, Suite 274). Telehealth services are also available by calling 757-683-4401, and crisis support is available by selecting option 2 at any time. 
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988 for the National Suicide Hotline, 24/7/365 days a year. 
• Additional Student Resources: Talk Campus offers a 24/7 peer support community, and additional services can be found through ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Counseling Services and Monarchs THRIVE webpage.

Faculty and Staff Support Resources

• Employee Support Services: Employees seeking support at this time are encouraged to contact the Anthem Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 855-223-9277 to speak confidentially with a clinician, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additional resources are available at  using "Commonwealth of Virginia" as the company name. This support is available to all employee populations.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988 for the National Suicide Hotline, 24/7/365 days a year. 

Supporting Others in Distress

• Call the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Police emergency line at 757-683-4000, or dial 911.
• Call the Office of Counseling Services 24/7 crisis support line at 757-683-4401, select option 2.
• Send care referrals to the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Dean of Students Office at oducares@odu.edu, or call at 757-683-3442.
• Students, faculty, and staff can consult the for guidance on recognizing signs of distress and connecting students with appropriate support. 

We also recognize that the effects of an experience like this do not necessarily end when the building reopens or normal activities resume. Please extend grace to yourselves and to one another in the days ahead. We encourage students, faculty and staff to communicate with their instructors or supervisors if they need additional support or flexibility.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this loss. We ask that you respect the privacy of those involved and approach one another with compassion and care. We are a community, and in moments like these, how we care for one another matters most.

Sincerely,

Brian K. Payne, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice

We are deeply saddened to share that an individual has passed away following an incident in the BAL building today.

The building will remain closed for the remainder of the day, and all classes and operations scheduled in BAL are canceled. Please continue to stay clear of the building and surrounding area.

University officials have confirmed that there was never a threat to the broader campus, and there is no ongoing threat. All other campus operations will continue as scheduled.

We recognize that this news may be difficult for members of our campus community, particularly those who were in or near the building. Counseling and support services are available to students, faculty, and staff. Information about these resources can be found at . We encourage anyone who needs support to take advantage of these services.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. We ask our community to respect the privacy of those involved.