Dean’s letter to Stanford Engineering community on death of student

Jennifer Widom, dean of the School of Engineering, offers sympathies to the family, loved ones, fellow students and friends of the graduate student who was found deceased today.

Dear students, faculty and staff,

I am writing this evening with difficult news. It is with great sorrow that I report to you that a graduate student in engineering was found deceased today in the Paul G. Allen Building. An investigation into the cause of death is underway. At present, we have determined there are no on-going safety concerns for our school and campus community.

I know I speak for all of us here at Stanford in offering our sympathies to the individual’s family, loved ones, fellow students and friends. The Santa Clara County medical examiner/coroner’s office is contacting next of kin. While this process is underway, we are withholding the student’s name.

Please remember that there is a broad network of support services available across our community for those affected by this loss. Here are some I would like to point out:

  • Counseling and Psychological Services offers crisis counseling for urgent needs. Walk-in appointments are available. Clinicians are always on call, even after hours, at (650) 723-3785.
  • The Graduate Life Office is available during office hours at (650) 736-7078, or 24/7 at (650) 723-8222, pager ID number 25085.
  • The Bridge Peer Counseling Center offers counseling by trained students 24/7 at (650) 723-3392.
  • The Office for Religious Life offers spiritual guidance for students. Call (650) 723-1762 or visit the Round Room at Memorial Church.
  • The Faculty and Staff Help Center, located in Kingscote Garden, which offers confidential help for Stanford faculty and staff.
  • If you are aware of someone in distress, contact CAPS, Public Safety or the Office of the Dean of Students.

The death of a student is always hard to understand and accept. Please take care of yourselves and those around you.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Widom
Frederick Emmons Terman Dean of the School of Engineering