Dealing with Tragedy

Suggestions for Faculty/Staff after the Loss of a Student

SHAC staff are available to consult with on any of these steps. We have found it can be helpful to be involved with the initial debriefing time and are available to assist with any other follow up as needed.

Give yourself time to reflect.

Remember that you too have feelings and thoughts about what has occurred, and these thoughts and feelings should be taken seriously, not only for yourself, but also for the sake of the students you may be trying to work with. Some find it helpful to write or connect with others about their feelings and thoughts. As PSU employees, we have access to free and confidential employee assistance services through Canopy ((503) 639-3009)

Acquaint yourself with resources you can provide students.

These resources may include SHAC (503-725-2800), Dean of Student Life/PSU CARES (503-725-4422), Multnomah Crisis Line (503-988-4888) or other available resources within your own department.

Make accommodations as needed, for yourself and for students.

Many who are directly affected by the death may need temporary accommodations in their workload, in their living arrangements, in their own self expectations. It is normal for people not to be able to function at their full capacity when trying to deal with an emotional situation. This is a time to be flexible.

Respect each person’s way of dealing with the loss.

Some will be more vocal or expressive than others with their feelings and thoughts. Grief is not a disease, but it does take time to recover. Everyone is affected differently and reacts differently.

Make contact with those who appear to be responding in unhealthy ways.

(e.g., isolating themselves too much, using alcohol excessively, throwing themselves into academics or busy work in ways not characteristic of them, etc.).

Come back to the feelings as a group at a later time.

It is important to acknowledge the adjustments people have made. Just because everything seems to be back to normal does not mean that everyone has finished having feelings about the loss.

Guidelines to Responding to Student Death 

The Dean of Student Life Office and the Registrar’s Office work together when the university is informed of a currently enrolled or recently enrolled student’s passing. Our main objectives are to support family members of the deceased in reconciling all PSU records and accounts, as well as supporting the students, faculty, and communities that are impacted by the student death.

Any news regarding the death of a current or recently current student should be sent immediately to Taylor Burke (burketj@pdx.edu), Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Life, and Nicolle DuPont (nicolle.dupont@pdx.edu), Registrar. They will coordinate communications with all necessary parties at Portland State.

News of the death of a former student (one or more years since the student’s last term of attendance) is handled within the Office of the Registrar and can be sent directly to Nicolle DuPont (nicolle.dupont@pdx.edu), Registrar.

After communicating with the Dean of Student Life &/or the Registrar, they will coordinate the following steps:

Dean of Student Life

Dean of Student Life and/or PSU CARES Advocate will:

• Determine the family contact information 
• Inform the President’s Office 
• Offer or coordinate official condolences on behalf of PSU
• Provide support resources to the student’s academic program, faculty, and community groups (Student Health & Counseling, Human Resources, Employee Assistance Program)
• Provide support resources to the student’s living community if a University and Residence Life resident
• Collect or help collect documentation from family, friends, or community 

Registrar’s Office

The Registrar’s Office will update the student’s account and connect to other internal units to:

• Update Banner record to show student is deceased
• Review student account and see if refund or write-off is applicable
• Contact Student Recreation, Library, Transportation & Parking Services, and Housing to determine if there are any outstanding rentals, citations, charges, or current other materials related to the student
• Update Office of Financial Aid
• Evaluate if a posthumous degree or certificate of recognition is appropriate

Communication about a Student Death

We acknowledge there may be a need for communication amongst the campus community, the Dean of Students Office can provide appropriate templates. Contact askdos@pdx.edu or 503-725-4422 for more specific assistance.