President's Office
Speeches, Letters, and Articles
April 7, 2008Dear Reed Parent:
I am deeply saddened to report the tragic news that Alejandro (“Alex”) Lluch, a first-year Reed student, died on Saturday, April 5, in his dormitory room in Naito Hall. The cause of death, according to the medical examiner, was an accidental heroin overdose.
Alex’s family has come to campus to meet with students and faculty who were close to him. His father specifically wanted us to share with the community information about the cause of death in the hope that it might spare another student such a fate or another family such sorrow.
I share this news with you to give you current information and to assist you as you help your student to process his or her grief and concern. Since Sunday, we have established several resources for students to seek support and information. We have designated sites in residence halls and on campus for students to share their reactions, feelings, and memories of Alex. The Counseling Center was open this weekend for extended hours, and the counselor on call is also available to any student at any time by calling the Community Safety dispatcher at 503/771-1112. We have been meeting regularly with residence hall directors, house advisers, and members of the Student Senate in order to provide current information so that they are best able to reach out to other students, both those who live on campus and those who live off campus. I know that some students will find it difficult to concentrate on their academic work during this time of grieving, and I have urged faculty to make suitable accommodations. We will notify the community as soon as we know the wishes of family or friends regarding a memorial.
A tragic event such as this naturally raises many larger questions about how, and how well, the college supports students in times of stress or sorrow, how actively and effectively we monitor student behavior, and how and when we intervene to protect students from themselves and from others. We try to address and re-examine these questions constantly, but incidents like this naturally increase the urgency of such a re-examination. For now, however, we are concentrating our energies on providing solace for the grieving. This is a close community, and personal tragedy touches all of us. I hope you will help us by providing the wisdom, reassurance, and love that only a parent can offer.
Please do not hesitate to call my office at 503/777-7500 or to email me at presidentsoffice@reed.edu. You can also contact Barre Stoll, interim dean of students, with questions or concerns, at 503/777-7521, or student.services@reed.edu.
Sincerely,
Colin S. Diver
President
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