TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — A heartbroken community continues to heal following the deadly mass shooting at Florida State University.

Students and staff were back on campus Monday to resume classes with only one week before finals. Many students expressed concerns and confusion about the university’s decision to resume classes.

Students like FSU freshman Madalyn Propst said no one wants to go back to an active crime scene and have to worry about taking a test.

“It feels like they took the heart out of campus,” Propst said.

Alongside the countless memorials spread across FSU’s campus were students, some left wondering if the campus needs more time to heal.

“Being here today, first day back at school, even though it’s not required. It just feels very empty,” said Christian Maldonado, an FSU senior. “It doesn’t really sit well going and sitting in my class. I was on edge the whole time.”

University President Richard McCullough gave students who cannot return options like remote learning, waiving all mandatory attendance policies, and the choice to request an incomplete grade, but many students said it’s still not enough.
“It’s insensitive. It feels like a slap in the face from our administration. We know that they can shut down for less, they gave us a week off for snow earlier in the year and they’re expecting us to pretend like nothing happened and go to finals a day after the shooting,” Propst said.

Police said Phoenix Ikner opened fire in the school’s student union on Thursday, April 17. Over the weekend, the university and community members held vigils to honor the lives lost and victims.

Christian Maldonado, a senior studying musical education, said he has one message for those listening as he reflects on his years as a proud Seminole.
“FSU’s community is phenomenal and what they’re doing a lot for us, I mean people are out here just spending their whole day offering hugs,” Maldonado said. “There were some people earlier just holding cookies for anybody that walked by, and I’m so glad that they’re doing it and this world is saying that you need to be kind, but it shouldn’t take something of this magnitude for people to realize to be kind.”
FSU students shared with 8 On Your Side that while they are thankful for the option to attend certain classes and opt in or opt out, there are some who need to take their final exams in order to boost their grade, and at the same time, they can’t even imagine trying to shift their focus back on their studies.

“Personally, I’m not really ready. I’m not in that headspace; I’m not sure if I will be,” Maldonado said. “This whole weekend I did nothing. I didn’t check my e-mail once. I kind of just showed up today and have no clue what’s going on. It’s definitely tough in that situation when you might really need to take the final in order to pass a class.”