FARMVILLE – Longwood University has expressed its great concern in a letter to parents over the recent assaults on three students.

Vice-President For Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson also enlists the aid of parents to speak with their son or daughter about safety issues.

But the dean expresses ultimate confidence in Longwood and Farmville as safe communities for their children.

“As you may be aware, since the beginning of the academic year there have been several assaults on students. Two assaults occurred off campus and one occurred on campus. In all three incidents, the victims sustained non-life threatening injuries and are continuing to recover,” Pierson wrote in a letter emailed to parents Tuesday afternoon.

“We are greatly concerned about these incidents. Longwood's Police Department is working closely with the Town of Farmville Police to investigate these assaults and to identify the individuals involved. In addition, both police departments have increased day and evening patrols both on and off campus. Visit www.longwood.edu/police/reports.htm to view the campus announcements concerning these incidents,” he related.

“As parents, please stress to your students not to walk alone at night. We recommend to students that during the evening, night, and early morning hours that they travel around campus and in surrounding neighborhoods in groups of at least two and preferably of three or more. Additionally, students should not engage in texting or other distracting behaviors while walking. The best prevention is always to be aware of one's surroundings and of those who do not appear to be members of our campus community. Students are encouraged to program the LUPD phone number – 434.395.2091 – on their cell phones so that it can be dialed quickly if needed.

“Despite these incidents, we are confident that both the Longwood and Farmville communities are safe places to study and live. However, we are not completely immune from the problems that invade larger cities and communities,” Pierson writes.

“Please know that we are doing everything possible to prevent future incidents of this nature. We are confident that the student body will work together to do its part to help in this effort. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 434.395.2039 or Longwood Police Chief Bob Beach at 434.395.2092.”