The Oakland Post

Tragedy unites campus

By editors
Posted: Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 at 12:07 pm | Last Updated: Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 at 12:07 pm Comments Print This Email This Tweet This Delicious

Suicide.

It’s the second leading cause of death among college students according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

It’s certainly affected Oakland University.

One year ago, Corey Jackson, a 19-year-old sophomore who lived in the residence halls, committed suicide on campus.

It came at a very rough time for the LGBTQ community; just as other gay teenagers across the nation were succumbing to suicide due to relentless bullying.

He had recently come out to friends and family, but officials and close friends observed no evidence of bullying.

It’s an understatement to say that Corey’s death stunned the  OU community.

Oakland Post staffers were working on an issue of the newspaper on a Tuesday evening when an email blast alerted campus community members to the death of a residential student on campus.

Stunned. That was the reaction students had to the email.

Confused. That’s how people felt when the investigation was still ongoing.

Stunned. When details of a suicide on campus surfaced, campus community members became increasingly at a loss for words.

Confused. Those who were close to Corey described his warm smile and effervescent personality.

There was an outpouring of support for Corey’s family in the days following — a testament to the effect Corey’s presence had on this campus.

Students wore purple in response to gay suicides like Jackson’s and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity brothers wore black ribbons to commemorate his life. A candlelight vigil was quickly organized.

In a note sent to students the day after Corey’s death, OU President Gary Russi asked students to “not focus on the manner of Corey’s death, but rather celebrate the life he lived and the people he touched.”

And that’s what we should remember as we gather again near Bear Lake on the one-year anniversary of Corey’s passing.

Gay/Straight Alliance President Alexa Van Vliet said she’s working to keep his memory alive and to prevent the same thing from happening on campus again.

The vigil Wednesday will allow us to celebrate his life once again. Perhaps the memorial garden being planned in his memory will also continue that.

But it’s important to remind students, staff and faculty that resources for those dealing with these difficult issues are available on campus. Students can get six free counseling sessions at Graham Health Center.

The counseling center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and support is available to students who are going through crises.

Though formal counseling is not available through the Gender and Sexuality Center, the center does provide support and resources for students regarding issues of sexuality and gender.

When hundreds stood out by Bear Lake and faced the elements for that first candlelight vigil, it showed that the campus community could band together to make a difference and support one another.

Though it was a mournful occasion, Corey’s tragic death brought about a sense of caring and compassion among students.

Let’s keep that spirit alive.