All communities periodically experience the loss of members through death. The University of Florida is no exception. Death may occur as a result of accident, illness, natural disaster, violence, or other trauma.
Death can strike a student, faculty or staff member.
Because the core of the University Community is comprised of young, energetic individuals who share a common identity, the impact of unpredictable or sudden death can have an especially powerful, traumatic effect. Whatever the cause of death, such a loss to the community is associated with a natural need for the expression of grief. For faculty and staff at the University, assisting students to cope with a loss may be important for their personal and academic well-being. Whether the person who died is a close friend, fellow student, family member or prominent public figure, the death promotes a sense of personal vulnerability and the challenge of change. Although the majority of faculty are sensitive to the concerns of students affected by death, faculty sometimes are unfamiliar with what actions they might take to address student needs and facilitate resumption of an academic routine.