When Michael Nickelotte, Jr.’s family confirmed his death — which was later ruled a suicide — on Sept. 29, he became the second University student to lose his life in a span of 16 days. Maxwell Gruver’s death on Sept. 14 resulted in the University turning upside-down with policy changes, strongly-worded press conferences and an effort to provide resources to every student who needed them. When Nickelotte died, the University did none of this.
The University has done alarmingly little in the wake of a student deciding to take his own life. Many students may not even know the event happened as LSU President F. King Alexander has still not addressed Nickelotte’s death with the LSU community, despite having held a press conference hours after Gruver’s death.
Nickelotte’s death resulted in nothing more than an email to East Campus Apartment residents on Oct. 3, four days after he was confirmed dead. The email provided links to resources for anyone who felt affected by his passing, but only referred to Nickelotte as “a resident.”
The University announced a Week of Reflection for Maxwell Gruver starting the Monday following his death. The announcement contained information for a memorial service, hazing prevention initiatives, Greek Life policy reform and mental health counseling resources. Immediately following a student’s suicide is when counseling and additional mental health services are needed the most.
While it should be a priority to acknowledge the passing of a fellow Tiger, it’s important for the University to recognize the extent to which students may be facing mental health issues in silence. According to the National College Health Association’s 2016 health assessment, 7 percent of college students seriously considered suicide, while 1.5 percent have attempted suicide in the last 12 months. College Degree Search reports half of college students who contemplate suicide never told anyone about it.
The University has an obligation to ensure there are resources available to students when they need them. The University must also equip these facilities with the money, staff and expertise necessary to provide these students with the support they need. The University is simply not doing enough.
The Daily Reveille Editorial Board commended LSU President F. King Alexander and the rest of the University administration for acting swiftly following Gruver’s death. But not only has the University failed to act swiftly following Nickelotte’s death, they have barely acted at all. For the second time in less than a month, a family sent their son to LSU and now will never see him again. The University is obligated to act to ensure this does not happen to the families of any of the other 30,000 students enrolled. They did this following the death of Maxwell Gruver, but have failed to do this following the death of Michael Nickelotte.