Rhodes Community,
We, along with the city of Memphis, continue to grieve the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols, and we are keeping his family and friends close in our thoughts. Five Memphis police officers have now been indicted and charged with second degree murder, among other offenses. At a news conference yesterday, the Shelby County District Attorney said a video of the incident will be released tonight after 6 p.m. Although no one on campus has seen it yet, reports are that it is horrific.
I want to assure you we are taking this situation very seriously. While we do not know what to expect when the video is released, we certainly hope the city will remain calm, as it has to this point and as Tyre’s family has requested. However, we recognize the video could spark anger and outrage. To that end, we are preparing for all eventualities and have put the following measures in place:
Campus Security
- As of 5:00 p.m. today, all campus gates will be closed with the exception of the Bailey gate, which will remain open and staffed by Campus Safety.
- We will have extra security patrols on and around campus beginning today and throughout the weekend.
- Any student who feels unsafe in their off-campus housing is welcome to stay in the McCallum Ballroom in the Bryan Campus Life Center this weekend. Since there are no beds, please bring a sleeping bag or blanket and a pillow with you. If you plan to stay on campus at the BCLC, you will need to complete this form.
- No parking tickets will be issued after 5:00 p.m. today or throughout the weekend.
- We will remain in close communication with city officials. If conditions deteriorate and a citywide curfew is issued, we will notify you immediately through our Rhodes text alert system and by email. A curfew would mean that while you are free to move about campus, you should not be out in the city during the hours the curfew is in effect.
- Please monitor your email closely throughout the weekend for any changes to campus events and operations.
Gatherings and Resources
- We have an opportunity to gather at 4:00 p.m. today in Barret 051 to find strength in community and process this tragedy. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend.
- An additional gathering is planned tomorrow from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Spence Wilson Room at the Briggs building. Chaplain Beatrix and others will be in attendance to offer solace and support.
- The library is extending its hours tonight and will be open all night for students who want to gather and study there.
- Access to counseling support is available for any student who needs assistance navigating this difficult time. Any Rhodes student who requires urgent or emergency mental health services should contact the Student Counseling Center at (901) 843-3128. For 24/7 in-the-moment mental health support, students can call (833) 434-1217. Additional mental health crisis information can be found on the Counseling Center's website. Mental health support is available to students in crisis 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Chaplain Beatrix is available by appointment by emailing weilb@rhodes.edu.
- Rhodes staff and faculty who need assistance may contact CONCERN EAP. CONCERN provides counseling services to Rhodes employees, their partners, and members of their households. This service is free and confidential. You can contact CONCERN 24/7 at (901) 458-4000. As an added resource, counseling staff from CONCERN will be on campus Monday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. More details are forthcoming.
The safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority at Rhodes. We encourage you to seek the appropriate resources to support your emotional and mental health. We also strongly urge you to exercise caution about going out in the city tonight and this weekend. If a curfew is not issued and you choose to go out, please be extra vigilant and mindful of your surroundings. Also, if protests take place in the city and you choose to participate, we hope you will do so safely and exercise good judgment to protect your wellbeing. This guide may be of assistance to you.
It has been a difficult week in our beloved city, and we have all been impacted by this terrible tragedy. We know this situation is especially excruciating for our Black students, faculty, and staff, and we are here to support you in any way that we can. We urge all of our students to be respectful, compassionate, and considerate with every member of the Rhodes community as we move forward together.
Jennifer Collins
President