John Cloninger reports that the campus was rocked yesterday by reports that Rensselaer Computer Science graduate student Robert Svensson was killed while exploring Clarksville Cave. The latest story, also published in the Times Union, indicates that emergency rescue personnel from various Albany County agencies have decided to drain the subterrainian pool in which his body lies because a team of a dozen divers has been unable to recover the body. {Update on 03/01: Divers successfully recovered the body today, overcoming a number of difficult natural obstacles.}

In an article published on The Poly Web Site, Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson said, "We are deeply saddened to hear of this tragic and untimely accident. Our hearts and our deepest sympathies go out to Robert?s family and friends.... Our first priority is to come together to provide a support structure for those who are grieving. Counseling and support services have been made available to the students and an on-campus memorial service is being planned."

The RCNJ certainly joins President Jackson in extending our sympathies to the family and friends of Robert Svensson.