Against the background of students’ criticism of the hours resumption of Monday, four days after the mass shooting, Florida President Richard McCulow has announced new options for students for the end of the semester on Saturday night.
“For some students who may mean not to return to the classroom,” he wrote in his second note to students, teachers and employees for 12 hours. “For others, the idea of community and gathering, as well as the opportunity to focus on academics, can be beneficial.”
Noting that there is no “right answer for everyone,” McCulow said that the university wants “everyone will get the support and to help they need.”
“We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone,” he wrote. “We have been working on a number of complex and challenging problems in the last few days. We appreciate your patience.”
According to the updated plan, the classes will still resume on Monday with a remote option for many courses, although it may not be possible for some classes such as laboratories. More information will be provided by the instructors on Monday night.
The university also gave up all mandatory attendance policies.
“Students: If you decide not to attend lessons this week, we understand,” he writes. “If you decide not to attend lessons, please contact your instructor on how to complete all the necessary coursework.”
Students may also request incomplete assessment if they are not currently able to complete a course.
He also talks directly to teachers and instructors, telling them that more information will come through a separate email later than the provocateur.
“Please review your course materials and provide your students to your students as appropriate for your class as soon as possible, ideally before the next class meeting, but no later than Monday night,” he writes. “If your class will be delivered remotely, be sure to post this information via email and your web site.”
He also asked teachers to update their books with current students’ grades as soon as possible.
The email advises students to contact their instructors next week if they have questions. If their circumstances cannot be accommodated, students can contact the Department of Support of Students and Transitions of dsst@fsu.edu or call at 850-644288
“We will do our best to meet your needs. Thank you again for your patience while working during this difficult and challenging time together.”
Minutes after publication, the University of Instagram’s update collected a dozen comments like “Thank you for listening.”
Original story
Students at Florida State University have hit the administration after President Richard McCulow has announced earlier April 19 that the Talahasi campus will open again next Monday – just four days after a weapon killed two people and wounds six in the Student Union.
“Thank you for giving us a day off for snow (in January) and a day off for a mass shooting. You are really interested in you,” said one person in the school’s Instagram post.
Another said, “Are you serious ??? I ran for my life and now I have to return a few days later ????”
In his letter to the Campus Community, McCulow said he knew that he would not feel like a normal week.
“This is the last one before the finals and many of you are still processing what happened,” he said.
“Please take care of yourself. If you need time or support, reach. Students should contact their instructors for help in class work or accommodation. The faculty and employees should contact their dean or manager. No one should go through that alone.”
This did not reassure Camilya Sanders, a social work student and an employee at the FSU testing center at the University Center C. She worked there when the shooting happened about a mile.
President of Florida State University Richard McCoulow comforts a student during a vigil after the shooter killed two and wounds six in the Student Union building, Friday, April 18, 2025.
Sanders, who is from Miami, said the professor of her friend did not repel recorded video assignment after the photos.
“It is difficult to believe that we will really be able to get more time to process what happened, to grieve and focus on ourselves when it is just” return to class “and normal operations,” Sanders told the Talahassi Democrat in a telephone interview.
She had not yet contacted her professors, but she said: “At the moment I am doing terribly and I know that many other people around me are the same.
She said she had contacted the social work school, but had not heard back yet.
“It’s like,” Oh, I’m sorry you went through this and here are some resources, but you still have to go to class and work on Monday and finish the rest of the semester. “I think this is inappropriate,” Sanders said.
When reached for comment, FSU spokesman Amy Patros stressed that McCulow said that teachers and administrators would be flexible with students or staff who “need accommodation or are not ready to return.”
But Alessandra Borges, a student studying political sciences, law and philosophy, wrote a direct message on Instagram to Democrat that “never” wants to hear McCullough “talk about” FSU family “again.
“As a student at HCB, the building just opposite the Student Union, and I almost didn’t sleep, without remembering the sound of rifles, the sounds of students who scream, and the view of blood on the paths,” she wrote.
All her classes are in HCB and Bellamy near the Union, “but they expect us to go back to these same classrooms,” where she heard the first rifle and “where I called my family and boyfriend to say” I love you “without knowing if it would be the last time.”
In a video posted moments after the publication of this story, McCulow said, “Like many of you, I still grieve.” He made it clear that professors and supervisors were instructed to be “flexible and welcoming”.
“Many of you are still processing what has happened. We understand this. And we understand that some of you may not be able to return on Monday. It’s good. We’ll be flexible and find a way to welcome you. I promise.”
Need help?
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Students in need of support for mental health should contact our team for consultation and psychological services at (850) 644-Talk (8255).
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In addition, the victim advocacy program provides free, confidential and compassionate assistance to FSU students. Call 24/7 (850) 644-7161, text (850) 756-4320, or send an email to victims- Advocate@fsu.edu.
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Employees who need help should contact EAP at (850) 644-2288 free, professional consulting services.
William Hatfield contributed to this storyS Jim Rossika, the news director of Talahassi Democrats, can be found at jrosica@tallahassee.com. Follow it at X: @jimrosicaflS
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State announces new class variants after criticism, shooting