PROCEDURE: 
When a student dies, it is important that Northeastern University communicates the information in a timely and effective manner while extending support to affected members of the community. The protocols and resources outlined below will ensure an effective and consistent response. The Vice President of Student Affairs, Ed Klotzbier, will coordinate the University's response working with the Crisis Management Team (CMT) and the appropriate Dean. In the vice president's absence, David Winch, Director of We Care, will coordinate the response.

The individual initially aware of the incident should share as much information as possible, including circumstances surrounding the death and contact information, with Ed Klotzbier or David Winch.
These protocols may be helpful in the event of a death of a former student; however, they may need to be amended based on the circumstances.

Immediate Contact and Alternative

Action Steps

Ed Klotzbier will brief the CMT, activate the We Care team and partner with appropriate administrators to assign responsibility for the next steps.

• In all circumstances, notify the Senior Leadership Team and the appropriate college dean.

• Determine who will place the official University condolence call to the student's family and when.

• Ensure Student Affairs completes the Deceased Student Checklist in coordination with the appropriate Dean's office.

• If at all possible, identify and contact individuals who should learn the news directly before sending a campus-wide communication.

• Communicate the news to the University community. (There is a sample letter on the last page.)

• Determine whether individuals from Northeastern will be attending the service as representatives of the University.

• Determine whether the University will provide transportation for students wishing to attend the service.

• Identify impacted students and provide follow-up/continuing support via We Care, University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) and Spiritual Life.

Roles and Responsibilities

Student Affairs - Ed Klotzbier, O: 617-373-5434, C: 617-943-1901

• Activates We Care and notifies additional support areas such as Spiritual Life and UHCS.

External Affairs - Mike Armini, O: 617-373-5045, C: 617-285-2972

• Assesses whether any adjustments to the standard process are appropriate.
• Assesses potential external implications.
• Handles any press inquiries.
• Arranges for a condolence letter to be sent from the President to the family.

Provost's Office - Sue Powers-Lee, O: 617-373-2842, C: 617-780-7338 (undergraduate or co-op student) or Luis Falcon O: 617-373-5851; c: 617-893-1200 (graduate student)

• Notifies the student's advisor

Human Resources Management - Kater Pendergast, O: 617-373-4322, C: 617-970-6906

• Coordinates Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, as appropriate, for affected department and/or individuals.

College-Based Enrollment Management & Student Affairs Staff Member

• Assesses impact on students in the impacted college and collaborates with We Care.

Additional Resources include:

• Northeastern Public Safety, 617-373-2121
• Employee Assistance Program, 877-739-3989
• Spiritual Life Center, 617-373-2728
• University Health and Counseling Services, 617-373-2772

Communication

When a student dies, the CMT will determine appropriate communication to all students, faculty and staff. In most cases, the college dean will send the communication. The communication should go out as soon as possible to ensure the community receives accurate information from the University's leadership, rather than word of mouth.

The communication has two purposes:

• Notify the Northeastern community
• Remind the community of the support that is available

Once information about a service is available, the Dean will send a second communication to the appropriate audience. Depending upon the circumstances, the service information may be sent to the entire community, or a smaller group.

Sample Letter

It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the death of<<XXX>>.

<<Information about the individual>>.

During difficult times, it is important to draw strength from each other and from the larger community of which we are a part.

Confidential counseling is available for students, faculty and staff dealing with this loss. Students can contact University Health and Counseling Services located on Forsyth St., or by calling 617-373-2772. Student support is also available from the Spiritual Life Center at 617-373-2728 and from the We Care team in Student Affairs at we_care@neu.edu or 617-373-4384.

Faculty and staff can contact the Employee Assistance Program, available 24 hours a day, at 877-739-3989 or register for online services at www.wellnessworklife.com.

I know you join me in offering sincere condolences to the family and friends of <<name>>.

Sincerely,

<<Name>>
<<Title>>