Man commits suicide at Infocision Stadium
November 7, 2011
By: Lindsey Hudson
Many students on campus complain about the campus mail, the crime alerts and other notifications that are sent automatically to our emails. How are we supposed to feel, then, when a crime takes place on campus and we aren’t alerted? Why, now, does the University choose to keep quiet?
I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that most students did not hear about the body of a former student at The University of Akron that was found in the Infocision Stadium on Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. The news of the story has mostly been spread through word of mouth instead of through official release.
The problem that I find in this situation is the lack of respect for the former student and his family. Not only did The University of Akron keep the news of the alleged suicide a secret, but sweeping the event under the rug raises the question of whether the crime scene was examined thoroughly, or if it was treated as a crime scene at all.
Instead of taking time to inspect the scene of a speculated suicide, the Zips game was held as scheduled, as if nothing had happened. Anyone else see something wrong with this?
As a current student, this situation raises a question in my mind about the care and commitment to students that The University of Akron claims to have. The victim was a former student and was not given the proper respect that UA claims to have for their students, faculty and alumni. The University of Akron has become such a business that they cannot even bare to reschedule a game out of respect for a deceased former student. Instead, they handed out bobble heads to game attendees as if there was never glitch in their schedule.
One of my biggest fears is that the amount of crime, injury and death circulating our campus has led the University to think that its students have become callused to death, that we would rather attend a football game than show respect to a suicide victim and his family. The game should have been postponed and a statement should have been made to game attendees, students and to the public, with reference to where they could find further information relating to the case.
Even now, over a week later, there is still little information to be found on campus and online about the unfortunate situation. This leads me to wonder why the University is choosing to stay quiet. Why is there nothing to be said now?
If anything, out of respect for a former student and fellow human being, the truth should be released and The University of Akron should be aware that they have made themselves look heartless and incompetent. Maybe now is the time that we should ask ourselves one question: If I died today, would The University of Akron care?
Josh • Nov 9, 2011 at 3:34 PM
This was in the Beacon Journal. This was a suicide. Why would you put out a campus crime alert when the young man killed himself? What would the alert do?
Be on the lookout for a person that is dead? Out of respect for the family, most departments don’t release all of the details of a suicide. If they want to come forward and give details it’s up to them. This guy left a suicide note and reasons why he killed himself. The coroner was also investigating. Why would you postpone the game when the initial investigation already took place. What would be the purpose? If someone were to take a bunch of pills and died in their dorm should we close the dorm down or cancel classes? Life goes on, even after he chose to end his.
Yeah • Nov 10, 2011 at 2:41 PM
All very good reasons. Also, suicide tends to have a “snowball” effect.
Scott • Jan 25, 2012 at 4:10 AM
Apples and Oranges, Josh. Your comparison of the stadium suicide to someone in the privacy of their dorm room is like comparing apples to oranges. And the cavalier manner in which you refer to the deceased makes me wonder if you don’t have some suicidal ideations, also. seek help Josh. Call a hotline, or confide in a friend or close relative. Thanks.
Friskie Biscuit • Jan 28, 2012 at 8:18 PM
Scott. Your remark is uncalled for. How in the hell would you know if a poster had any ideations. I think you are just being a cruel and nasty person for making the condescending and hostile comments about another poster. And it is not apples and oranges to compare the dorms to the stadium. There is no purpose to shut down the game other than the histrionic need to nit pick at UA at every opportunity. Please know what you are talking aboout before you open up your irresponsible mouth. Your comment is a good example of why the family did not want UA to publish anything about their loved one’s suicide. I cannnot believe you are college material with that sort of juvenile thinking.
Leah • Nov 8, 2011 at 11:46 PM
Just recently I found out that a student from the University of Akron majoring in psychology committed suicide over the weekend. I wanted to know exactly who this person was, wanted to know if I have ever met them before, because we have the same major. I searched all over the internet and looked in my zip mail to see if I got any notifications on it. While I was searching for it I stumbled on this suicide as well. The suicide that was on the University of Akron’s property and I was wondering why I was never informed of this. This makes me sick that the University never said anything about this. 2 suicides in 2 months and the university haven’t said a word about any of them? What about having suicide awareness month or doing something so students can become aware of this issue, rather, pattern that is forming. Reading your article made me infuriated. This pisses me off.
Josh • Nov 10, 2011 at 1:06 AM
There is no obligation on UA’s part to inform you of a suicide. The alerts are to inform students, faculty, and staff of a threat that the incident my pose. Serial rapes, burglaries, and robberies. Suicide does not fall under this.
Scott • Jan 25, 2012 at 4:16 AM
Leah, I agree with you. I am a veteran and I was just informed that a veteran who was probably homeless walked into the Akron VA outpatient clinic bathroom and shot himself. That is how I found this article about Akron U. I was searching for relative information. Being informed is freedom. It is a right. And we have many examples throughout history that explain why.
Friskie Biscuit • Jan 28, 2012 at 8:12 PM
This is not Akron U. It’s The University of Akron and someone’s suicide is none of your business. That you are a veteran is immaterial.
Friskie Biscuit • Jan 28, 2012 at 8:19 PM
Oh stop it!