LAS VEGAS, Nevada – After weeks of closure following a tragic mass shooting, students and staff at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) are preparing to return to campus.
The campus has been mostly deserted since the shooting on December 6, 2023, which claimed the lives of three professors and left another critically wounded. Now, as the Spring semester commences, the majority of students and staff will be coming back to the campus for the first time since the tragedy.
For many, the psychological impact of the shooting lingers. Lauren Cooper, a senior at UNLV, expressed her ongoing sense of unease, stating, “I feel like I’ll always be on edge, you know, thinking there’s someone here, is someone going to do something, that is something no one should have to experience.”
The university has taken steps to support its students and staff in coping with the aftermath of the shooting. One of these measures is the creation and launch of the Rebel Recovery Program. Furthermore, on the first day of classes, a traditional Healing Ceremony will be performed by the Tribal Nations from Southern Nevada at the Alumni Amphitheater.
In light of the shooting, Beam Hall, where the tragic incident took place, will remain closed for the semester. Additionally, the university has announced several resources to support the recovery of its community from the trauma.
As UNLV moves forward, the return to campus signifies a step towards healing and resilience in the face of tragedy. The community’s strength and resilience will undoubtedly shape the journey as it comes together to rebuild and recover from the events of that fateful day.