FSU lifts attendance mandate after student body protests ‘insensitive’ decision to return to campus days after deadly shooting

Florida State University has made a significant decision in response to the recent mass shooting on campus that left two dead and six injured. The university has lifted its class attendance mandate, allowing students and instructors the option to attend classes remotely starting Monday. Absences will be excused for those who choose not to attend at all.

FSU President Richard McCullough emphasized the importance of supporting students and faculty during this difficult time. He stated that while some students may benefit from returning to the classroom for a sense of community and focus on academics, others may find it more beneficial to stay away. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the university is committed to providing flexibility and understanding to those affected by the tragedy.

Certain courses, such as lab classes, will still be held in person, but students who feel they cannot complete a course have the option to request an incomplete grade. This decision comes after students expressed their concerns through an online petition, criticizing the university’s quick return to the scene of the shooting as insensitive and inappropriate.

The shooter, identified as Phoenix Ikner, unleashed a deadly rampage near the campus’s student union building, using his stepmother’s former service pistol in the attack. Two Aramark food service employees lost their lives, and six others were injured in the tragic event. The motive behind the mass shooting remains unknown.

Ikner, who is a 20-year-old FSU student and the stepson of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy, was apprehended by police and is currently being treated at a local hospital. Despite the horrific events that transpired, the FSU community is coming together to support one another and heal from the trauma.

The university’s decision to lift the class attendance mandate reflects a commitment to prioritizing the well-being and mental health of its students and faculty. By offering remote learning options and excused absences, FSU is providing the necessary support for those still processing the aftermath of the tragic incident.