Sad and awful news

Parent Cafe
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<p>Mini?? Care to clarify?? I took you literally, for with the exception of the few juice bars and coffee shops on Spring Street, there really isn’t much else to comprise an “off campus” opportunity at Williams. that is, unless there’s a reason to hang out at the local filling station (which may be a popular place these days).</p>

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<p>BTW, don’t get me wrong- I love Williams. Great, great college. It’s just not got a great “college town”. Here’s a description of what is available on Spring Street-- the closest street (that runs though a part of campus) with shops on it <a href=“http://extras.berkshireeagle.com/NeTrp/communityguides/offcampus/2004williams/[/url]”>http://extras.berkshireeagle.com/NeTrp/communityguides/offcampus/2004williams/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I’m so sorry to hear about this. I’m personally dreading the day when my first friend (who’s my age) dies for any reason. I hope it doesn’t happen for a very long time, and I’m so sorry your son has to deal with it this early in life.</p>

24

<p>Sorry.
I began reading the post and then my mind screamed WHY EVERY YEAR. Son’s school has the mandatory on-line alcohol edu, the little cards are everywhere on campus-still I read the newletter of all the trips to the hospital because of alcohol. I wish we knew what works so that parents wouldn’t have to lose their babies this way.</p>

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<p>Such terrible news, ag. It’s heart-wrenching to hear of such a horrible thing … a waste of a young life. Thank you for posting the message. It made me take the opportunity to e-mail my daughter, her best friend, another friend, and my two nephews (all college students) to advise them of what they should do if they ever have a friend in need. I hope your son is doing okay.</p>

26

<p>Another college/alcohol hazard:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-08-29-campus-fires-cover_x.htm[/url]”>http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-08-29-campus-fires-cover_x.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

27

<p>ag54~</p>

<p>Oh, I am <em>SO, SO</em> sorry to hear of this senseless tragedy…My heart goes out to the young man’s family, his friends, such as your son, and to all of those who will miss the presence of his young spirit here on earth. {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} to you all. ~berurah</p>

28

<p>I’m not sure what goes on off campus at UNC-CH, but I have to say the school’s policy with regard to alcohol and underage drinking is downright intimidating. The Honor Court will kick you out on the first infraction and they had several presentations to the parents and students at separate orientations to drill that little fact home. My d was appropriately impressed I have to say. Maybe I’m naive in thinking this makes a difference…I hope not.</p>

29

<p>ag54…some of us just sent this sad news out to our sons. So sorry for the parents most of all and for the heartache you are experiencing. </p>

<p>Faline2</p>

30

<p>If this is who I think it is, our son lives 1 block from where this young man died. Although our son didn’t know him, it’s made an impact on all of us. What a tragic loss. My sympathies go out to his friends and family.</p>

31

<p>“It is amazing that parents aren’t out leading the charge to make colleges safer places for their kids.”</p>

<p>Some are trying, but face a barrage of ignorance and downright stupidity, including on this precise board. </p>

<p>It is sad that it takes a tragegy to wake up and realize the extent of the problem. However, it is even sadder, that most everyone forgets or forgives too quickly. The message about the danger of alcohol poisoning can NEVER be repeated enough. </p>

<p>One of the hardest part about sharing this is the typical attempt from organized group to trivializing the issue, or shove the responsibilities back to the victim and his or her family. However, a few families have found the courage to set aside their grief and forgo the anonimity and privacy of their loss.</p>

<p>Here’s a link to a group that seems to make a difference.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.thegordiefoundation.org/home/default.asp[/url]”>http://www.thegordiefoundation.org/home/default.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>PS There are several threads on CC on this issue that are worth reading, starting with this one: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=171204[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=171204&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The others are, alas, a lot more troubling.</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4153286.html[/url]”>http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4153286.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

<p>“UT banned Lambda Phi Epsilon from campus for six years after a university investigation found evidence of hazing at the party.” </p>

<p>Six year? Yep, the punishment fits the crime, and the message was clear enough! How many deaths does it require to earn a permanent ban?</p>

33

<p>oh man…this was a Strake kid. My d probably knows him.</p>

34

<p>Yes, it is Jamie Leonard from Strake. He was a sophomore at St. Eds. He was a great kid, a smart kid, who unfortunately made a bad choice Tuesday night. This is reverberating intensely among the alumns and parents from Strake. He was just your typical kid, it could have been any one of ours. My heart is breaking for his mom and dad. My son is torn up as are all of his friends. The only positive that can possibly come from this is if they all realize that it could happen to them.</p>

<p>So terribly sad :(</p>

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<p>ag54 - My d was on a competitive cheer squad with girls from St. Agnes, knew several Strake boys very well. One of my closest friend’s son is a Strake grad and I’m sure he know this boy… and her daughter is currently a St. Agnes student. There are not many kids at all from Houston at UNC-CH, but several are Strake kids who she has befriended. I’m not sure if she knew Jamie, but the name sounds very familiar. I emailed her to call me about this. I am so terribly sorry about this.</p>

36

<p>Dear Xiggi,
Whenever I hear of an alcohol tragedy, I picture Gordie. Probably because son was a freshman when it happened. Husband and I discussed Gordie’s death with son and hope/think he realized it really could happen to anyone. Sending him off today-will remind him again.</p>

37

<p>Dear Lamom, that is the spirit. We have to be realistic that the deaths will not stop soon, and that it will take time for the message to sink in. If, at this time, most youngster know that smoking can cause cancer and that driving while intoxicated is lethal, the warnings about drinking excessively are lost in a sea of conflicting messages. </p>

<p>Since drinking will not retreat from a campus, the messages might have to be changed a bit. Right now, we all know “Don’t drink and drive” and it may be time for messages such as “Don’t drink alone” or “Make sure your FRIENDS know what to do when someone passes out” to be repeated more often.</p>