Dear faculty colleagues,

As you read in yesterday afternoon’s message from Vice Provost for Student Affairs Erica Caloiero to the campus community, we suffered the tragic loss of one of our sophomore students, Jack Cavagnolo, this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jack’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

Jack lived on campus, and was a student in the Rubenstein School while also taking classes in CESS, CAS and CEMS, so he was a classmate and friend of many of our students. It is important to remember that our faculty and staff may also be affected by this tragedy. I ask that you be generous with students and colleagues in this final week of the semester as there is no way to know the depth of the impact this may have on many in our community.

As outlined in Erica Caloiero’s message (copied below), the University is offering a range of supports to students as we finish out this final exam week of the semester. After consulting with J. Dickinson, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Student Success and Jane Okech, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, I would like to offer some guidance for faculty as we navigate this tragedy.

  • We are proceeding with exam week as scheduled, but since this upsetting news came so close to the end of the semester, you may be considering whether to make changes to final assessments in your classes. We encourage faculty to offer flexibility to affected students where possible; however, please consider a wide range of student needs and reactions to this tragic event. Some students may request an incomplete, while others may wish to finish final assessments as outlined in the syllabus.  
  • Due to the disruption caused by this tragedy, some students may not be able to complete all their coursework by the end of the exam period. Where possible, please be flexible with due dates, and, in consultation with the student's dean's office, discuss granting incompletes where appropriate.
  • To allow faculty more time to complete grading and to enable you to offer a little more time to students to hand in work, the Registrar will keep the grade portal open until 4 pm on Tuesday, December 19.
  • Due to the complexity of exam scheduling, we ask that you not move a scheduled final without consulting with the Registrar's Office, as it may result in additional conflicts and stresses for students in your class. In cases where you feel it is necessary to explore a possible exam time change, please email both Veronika Carter (vlcarter@uvm.edu) and Naima Dennis (ntdennis@uvm.edu) as soon as possible to discuss options. Any change of exam day must offer opportunities for students who are leaving campus to either take the exam at the original time or take the exam remotely.

My heart aches for Jack’s family and for the students, faculty and staff who knew Jack and are experiencing a great sense of loss. Please continue to take care of one another.

Most sincerely,
Patty

------------------------------------

Date: December 9, 2023
From: Erica Caloiero, Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Subject: A message to our community regarding Jack Cavagnolo

To my dear ̽̽ community,

I’m writing to share tragic news that impacts our campus. Last night, we lost a member of our university community, sophomore student Jack Cavagnolo.

Jack transferred to ̽̽ this semester and lived in Harris Hall. His major, Sustainability, Ecology and Policy, overlapped with his love of the natural world; he found happiness in the outdoors and hiking, and cared deeply about his friends and family.

As a community, we feel the impact of Jack’s death. I want us all to remember several things that can help us navigate difficult times. Even when it seems that those around us are doing fine, they may be struggling; please reach out to one another and check in. By facing difficulty with curiosity and compassion, we can make our care for each other clear.

I also want you to know that support is being offered in the coming days:

  • Today through Wednesday, and longer depending on community need, we will be holding space to be in community together daily at 7 p.m. in the Harris Hall “garage” classroom area.
  • Within Harris Hall, Residential Life staff will hold hall meetings today (students will be contacted separately).
  • The Care Team is making space available in the Care Team office in Living/Learning D-170 (with staff and a therapy dog) today from 7–8 p.m. and tomorrow from 12–2 p.m.

And of course, if you think someone is struggling, do not keep that information to yourself. In addition to talking to residential hall staff, faculty and advisors, the Care form is a good way to share concerns, and to those who have used it in the past, I thank you.

If you or someone you know may be contemplating self-harm, tell someone. Anyone can call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline anytime by dialing 988. Campus resources are listed below, and I encourage us all to make good use of them. To every member of our ̽̽ family, please know that you are valued, and help is available.

Please continue to help each other, access resources you need, and let us know how we can help. On behalf of the entire ̽̽ community, our hearts and condolences go out to Jack’s family and friends.

With sincere care,
Erica

Erica Caloiero (she/her)
Vice Provost for Student Affairs

-----------------------------------------------

Campus resources 

Counseling appointments  

To speak to one of the CAPS counselors, please call the main line at (802) 656-3340 to schedule a time for a counselor to speak with you to discuss what supports/services CAPS can offer and what would feel most useful. Students are also welcome to schedule an appointment online through the . 

Let’s Talk Sessions

At Living Well in the Davis Center
  • Monday 1–4 p.m. with Kelly Boardman
  • Tuesday 1–4 p.m. with Andrea Rodriguez Trochez  
  • Wednesday 1–4 p.m. with Cara Chinchar
  • Thursday 1–4 p.m. with Stefan Nickum
At WAGE (34 S Williams Street)
  • Monday 1–4 p.m. with Mary Heininger
  • Tuesday 1–4 p.m. with Keith Smith (virtual only) 
  • Wednesday 1–4 p.m. with Andrea Rodriguez Trochez
At CAPS’ Jacobs House Location (146 S Williams Street)
  • Monday 1–4 p.m. with Christi Fellerhoff
  • Tuesday 1–4 p.m. with Cara Chinchar
  • Wednesday 1–4 p.m. with Christi Fellerhoff
  • Thursday 1–4 p.m. with Joe Cox
  • Friday 1–4 p.m. with Miki Beach 
At CAPS’ Redstone location (Wright Hall) 
  • Tuesday 1–4 p.m. with Olivia Sanders & Phoebe Lewis
  • Wednesday 1–4 p.m. with Stefan Nickum
  • Thursday 1–4 p.m. with Olivia Sanders 
  • Friday 1–4 p.m. with Andrea Rodriguez Trochez

After-Hours Counseling
If you are in need of support outside of our standard hours, call 802-656-3340 and follow the prompts to be connected to counseling support.  

Academic Support
If you would like to discuss academic support as we head into Finals Week, please contact your home to speak with an advisor.

Support for faculty and staff
Invest EAP is available for 24/7 employee assistance. Call 1-866-660-9533 or visit , create a login, and use the organization password uvm.