Students and Chancellor Daniel Ritchie discussed suicide prevention as well as other campus issues at the Chancellor’s quarterly roundtable meeting March 5.
In light of a graduate student’s suicide and an attempted suicide by an undergraduate student, several students brought forth their concerns about the safety and well-being of the rest of the DU community as a result of these events.
After brainstorming, they proposed a possible suicide prevention awareness week. This proposed plan would include speakers and seminars regarding the symptoms and warning signs of depression. The proposed idea also included confidential counseling for students who needed someone to talk to.
There was also a suggestion for movies and films about the subject of depression and suicide. No definite plans were formulated.
DU Environmental Team President Nick Heidinger presented a proposal for more recycling bins on campus. He stated that the current bins were inconveniently located and there are not enough.
The DUET recently conducted a survey of 50 students and found that 93 percent of the students who responded said that, “they would recycle more if [there] were more bins available.”
Two weeks ago, the group circulated a petition “urging the university to provide [them] with more opportunities to conveniently recycle.”
Chris Rutan said, “Almost $6,000 is spent per quarter for disposing wastes.” Because of this, the team feels that the university needs to make a bigger commitment to recycling programs.
Brandon Greenberg, a certified emergency medical technician, proposed the implementation of an emergency medical team called DUEMS. Members hope to have the program up and running by January 2004. Greenberg suggested an EMT class be offered for credit as part of the academic curriculum. The EMS team would be on-call 24 hours a day.
Sophomore Zach Poppel spoke about student safety. Chancellor Ritchie said there have been an increase in the number of patrol officers and the number of dispatchers has doubled.
Kevin Frederick, president of Inter Fraternity Council, discussed raising student spirit on campus and promoting the Greek community.
The next roundtable is May 7.
