Student Death Response

The death of a student can be emotionally difficult and stressful for students, faculty, and staff. Recognizing the shock and profound sadness that the student’s family and friends will experience, the Dean of Students has designed procedures to ensure a professional and caring response is implemented. Depending upon the student’s academic status and the location where the death occurred (on campus, off campus) the procedures will be implemented as appropriate.

Policy For Student Death Response

In the event of a student death:

• If the death occurred on campus, university safety will respond and notify the Dean of Students.
• If the death occurred off campus, when a university office or staff member receives information of the death, they will notify the Dean of Students.
  REPORT A STUDENT DEATH

What Happens Next:

The Dean of Students Office coordinates the university’s Student Death procedures and works closely with many departments and campus contacts to facilitate a centralized and comprehensive process. This process helps by establishing a single university point-of-contact for family members; coordinating support for impacted students, faculty, and staff; protecting the privacy and accuracy of information; and ensuring coordination for other university processes that are involved.

How to help students who might be impacted by a student death:

A student’s passing can sometimes impact the greater campus community. In addition to the resources below, the Dean of Students Office offers case management services. Case managers can work with impacted students to assist and support them in navigating resources not only at the university but also in the community.

University Resources for Students:

• Counseling Center
• Dean of Students Office
• Magers Health & Wellness

University Resources for Employees:

• Human Resource Office
• Magers Health & Wellness

University Annual Memorial Service

The Division of Student Affairs hosts an annual memorialservice each spring honoring the lives of current students, faculty, and staff lost within the past year.

Posthumous Degree Policy

Please see Op3.04-52 Posthumous Degree Policy.