The death of a student member of our campus community is tragic and at UConn we are committed to responding with care and support. The Dean of Students Office will lead the support efforts and serve as the campus liaison to the family and friends of the deceased. Staff from specific offices will come together to identify the appropriate resources to help the UConn community navigate the many emotions and feelings as we cope with the loss.

What happens when we lose a member of our university community?

Soon after receiving confirmation of a student’s passing, staff in the Dean of Students Office will coordinate the university response includes:

• Coordinates a team of professionals from across the University to organize support for impacted students, faculty and staff who may have been close to the deceased student.
• Communicates with the family, focusing on respecting the family’s wishes for privacy, including  when to inform and include university community members.
• Fulfills requirements of state and local laws regarding notification of next of kin, reporting the cause of a death, and allowing law enforcement to conduct its investigation.
• Provides information, support and resources for impacted students, faculty, and staff.
• Information about broader campus resources is provided in the Daily Digests.

If you are in need of support and are unsure where to find it, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 860-486-3426 or dos@uconn.edu or visit SHaW’s website.

Campus Memorial Service

Staff in the Dean of Students Office coordinate an annual memorial Service to be held at the end of April. The memorial service allows the University to acknowledge the members that have passed away and provides an opportunity for family of the deceased to return to campus and receive recognition on behalf of their student. Family members and friends of the deceased will be personally invited to this event. The memorial services details will be posted in the Daily Digest to include the greater campus community.

After a campus notification, the university often receives news media inquiries and will share appropriate public information about the death.