Ithaca College

It is with a great deal of sadness that I have to inform the campus community of the death of one of our students. Victoria Cheng, a freshman biology major in the School of Humanities and Sciences, was found deceased outside an off-campus residence early on the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 26.

The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department says there is no indication that foul play is involved. However, the investigation into the cause of death is ongoing. They are being assisted in their investigation by the New York State Police, Ithaca Police Department, and Ithaca College Office of Public Safety. Anyone who might have information is asked to call the sheriff’s department at 272-2444.

I know the entire campus community joins me in extending our heartfelt prayers and deepest sympathies to Victoria’s family, friends, professors, and classmates at this difficult time. Her mother Sarah is a graduate of Ithaca College, father Joseph is associate professor of finance and international business in the School of Business, and brother Joshua is a sophomore physics-engineering major in the School of Humanities and Sciences.

Victoria is from Spencer, New York, and graduated in 2010 from Ithaca High School. A resident of Emerson Hall, she was a member of the Ithaca College women’s tennis team and the IC Premed Relay for Life Team.

Professional staff from the Ithaca College Center for Counseling and Psychological Services and members of the college’s Mental Health Response Team (MHRT) will be available to provide counseling and support in the third floor main lounge of Emerson Hall from 9:00-11:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Friends and classmates are invited to gather together at Muller Chapel from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27, to support one another, with assistance from counselors, MHRT volunteers and chaplains.

Brian McAree
Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life