In the wake of UW-Madison junior Brittany Sue Zimmermann's death, campus officials are trying to retain a sense of community and stress awareness of personal safety.
University of Wisconsin Police Chief Susan Riseling and Dean of Students Lori Berquam joined city officials at a news conference Wednesday to offer university support in the homicide investigation.
Clearly this is a devastating and tragic situation and honestly it's a shock,"" Berquam said. ""Our thoughts and prayers are with the Zimmermann family, with Brittany's friends.""
UW-Madison officials alerted the campus community of the homicide through ""WiscAlerts"" around 5:45 p.m. after Madison police identified the victim as a student. This is the third time the campus-wide emergency communication system was used this school year.
At the request of Chancellor John Wiley, Riseling said UWPD would cooperate with the Madison Police Department to offer assistance.
""I spoke with the chancellor. He said whatever resources the university has that the city might need, the university will do everything to share those resources.""
According to Riseling, UWPD increased the number of university patrols at 4 p.m. Wednesday, and would continually update the campus with any additional information regarding Zimmermann's death.
""We will try to communicate quickly and clearly with the student body as we need to do through all sorts of different mechanisms - everything from mass e-mail to our web pages to Facebook,"" Riseling said.
Riseling also urged students to remember their personal safety.
""We are suggesting people go about their business in the downtown area and on campus, but again use caution. Be aware of your surroundings.""
MaryAnne Thurber, a Madison police crime prevention officer, said students should always keep doors locked and leave windows open no more than four inches so an intruder cannot climb through. She said to keep essentials in front pockets to prevent theft of valuable possessions.
""Being sober in public is so critically important with the alcohol involvement in property crimes and personal crimes and there is a correlation that exists,"" Thurber said.
Classes were not canceled Wednesday, but students were reminded to use counseling services available if necessary.
""Most importantly I think we need to come together as a community - both in the city of Madison, the university '¦ and come together as a community to get to the bottom of this situation,"" Berquam said.
Thurber said anyone with any information should report it to the police.
""The smallest thing can make the biggest difference so there's nothing too insignificant in this investigation to bring to the front - we want to know everything.""
- Abby Sears contributed to this report
