Washington State University must acknowledge UI killings are affecting its students too

Every time a new piece of information is released about the horrific stabbing deaths of four students at the University of Idaho, it sends out another distressing aftershock.

And for many college students, the anxiety is mounting as Thanksgiving break nears its end and they are expected to soon resume classes.

With the killings still haunting the Moscow, Idaho community and no suspect in custody, UI President Scott Green acknowledged that some students will be hesitant to return to school.

And with less than 10 miles separating that campus and Washington State University in Pullman, many WSU students are undoubtedly feeling the same way.

The difference is UI officials are making plans to accommodate students who would prefer to remain home and continue the final part of their semester online.

According to the Spokesman-Review, many WSU students are frustrated their school’s administrators have not publicly shown similar support and flexibility.

Anyone who has ever been a student at WSU — and in Eastern Washington there are many — knows that it’s common for WSU students to cross the border and shop in nearby Moscow.

The Palouse Mall is near the UI campus, as is WinCo — a grocery store popular with college kids from both sides of the state line. It’s also not unusual for students to have friends at both campuses.

So with that kind of close connection, it is understandable WSU students would be just as fearful as UI students that the killer is still at large.

Associated Students of Washington State University president Jacob Martinez told the Spokesman-Review he has heard from several students who are concerned for their safety and are looking for more information from WSU officials.

So far the WSU Police Department announced it is increasing patrols around the campus, which is of some comfort. But the killings have taken an emotional toll on many WSU students, and they need more assurance from WSU administrators that they will be supported during this terrible time — especially as finals week looms.

WSU senior Clany Wauran works in the university’s Womens Center and told the Spokesman-Review several female students visited the center in the immediate aftermath of the attacks saying they were unable to focus on school work.

“A lot of my friends are scared just because they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, something could happen to us,” Wauran said. “I live with five other girls in a house, just like the girls who were attacked. I feel like there’s this darkness just hanging over the area right now.”

In the same Spokesman-Review article, WSU spokesman Phil Wieler encouraged students to work directly with their professors if they are having difficulties. He said that although it has not been included in a public statement, professors were instructed in a campus-wide email that they should “give grace” to students during this difficult time.

If an email was sent to professors, why wasn’t the same announcement sent to students? At least then the entire campus would be on the same page and students might be more encouraged to reach out to their instructors.

As it stands now, too many WSU students are feeling alone in their struggle.

Idaho instructors have been told to accommodate students who do not want to return to the campus.

In a recent news conference, UI President Green noted that the college has added extra security personnel but are also planning for the possibility that some students aren’t comfortable returning to campus. “We will do our best to meet the needs of all students,” he said.

Such accommodations are what students need right now — at both campuses.

Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, were found dead by Moscow police on Nov. 13.

The Latah County coroner confirmed they suffered multiple stab wounds from a large knife, and they were reportedly attacked while asleep. At first, police said this was a targeted attack but later rescinded that statement. The truth is police are still investigating and there is much they don’t know.

The pain the victims’ families are experiencing at this time is immeasurable, and our hearts go out to them.

The fear and distress felt by many college students at UI and WSU is also palpable. UI officials are publicly doing their best to address that. WSU officials should follow suit.

This story was originally published November 23, 2022 at 11:25 AM.