Three nearby colleges, three rounds of bad news
The Story
A string of saddening headlines have been churned out lately at nearby college campuses, including App, JCSU and UNC Charlotte.
Appalachian State
– A shocking 8 students from this Boone university have died this school year.
App State reaching out to students after 8 deaths: http://t.co/bg1P2VrBuj pic.twitter.com/jL9nae0FdZ
— NBC Charlotte (@wcnc) January 28, 2015
– Two died from traffic accidents, four were ruled suicides and a medical examiner report is pending on the other two. No foul play suspected in any of the deaths.
– The most recent death happened this weekend, when Charlotte’s Michael Cameron Schmitt was found in medical distress at his apartment. He later died at the hospital.
News was just talking about more student deaths at App State. No one should have to deal with that, man.
— JC (@JChase__) January 28, 2015
– Particularly poignant and upsetting: Read App’s online message board. Way too many notes of condolence from the chancellor.
– Another shocking number: Since spring of 2012, 28 App students have died. The campus has 18,000 students.
Johnson C. Smith University
MUGS: 5 arrested for alleged hazing in JCSU fraternity. 1 still wanted http://t.co/5AkrXzgj70 pic.twitter.com/FnVrQcTNxH
— NBC Charlotte (@wcnc) January 29, 2015
– Six members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity have been charged with hazing.
– They are accused of striking the victim, who wanted to be part of the fraternity, so severely he had to get treatment at the hospital. The abuse allegedly happened over two months.
– JCSU has suspended the fraternity.
UNC Charlotte
– UNCC has opened a food pantry for students in need. It’s hard to imagine — if you can afford college, you can afford to eat, right? But so many students are living close to the edge, having to support themselves.
– The pantry averages 30-50 students a week.
– Plans are to add fresh food from a university garden next year.
C5’s Take
College should be fun and eye-opening and inspiring. We feel for these students in crisis.
Photos: Lisa Thornton & Jeff Willhelm / Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published February 2, 2015 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Three nearby colleges, three rounds of bad news."