University of Windsor flag lowered outside Dillon HallUniversities across Canada will observe a moment of silence at 1 p.m. today for those who died in the crash of Flight 752.

Moment of silence to commemorate crash victims

The University of Windsor will be joining other universities across Canada to mark a moment of silence at 1 p.m. today for those who died in the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.

Through the moment of silence — organized by Universities Canada — the hope is to create a thoughtful, national moment for people within and outside the university community to recognize the unprecedented, far-reaching effects of this tragedy on universities.

“Involvement in this national gesture is voluntary and flexible,” Universities Canada said in a statement. “People and organizations can join in as they are able and as they deem appropriate.”

Universities Canada has also placed a commemorative message of condolence in several publications today that will invite participation in the moment of silence.

Five members of the UWindsor community were killed in the plane crash: biology research assistant Samira Bashiri; engineering doctoral students Hamidreza Setareh Kokab, Pedram Jadidi, and Zahra Naghibi; and her spouse Mohammad Abbaspour Ghadi.

All members of the UWindsor campus community are asked to join this special moment. No formal event is planned.