The university is committed to responding with care and support in the tragic event of the death of a member of the campus community. Grieving family members, friends, faculty, staff and others may all have different needs for support to help cope with the loss and begin the healing process. Resources you may find helpful include the Dean of Students office, Counseling Center and University Health Center. Human Resources is available for employees. 

When someone in the JMU community dies, the university respects the family’s wishes for privacy – an important aspect of choosing when to inform and include university community members. If the community member is a student, a Dean of Students staff member will contact the family to determine their wishes for sharing information and if they need any support services. The Dean of Students office will also coordinate with other campus offices and academic affairs to notify faculty, roommates and students close to the deceased.  

Beyond that, these steps will be followed: 

• With support from the family, a message will be sent to the community. 
• Requirements of state and local laws regarding notification of next of kin will be fulfilled, reporting the cause of a death and allowing law enforcement to conduct its investigation if needed. 
• Information and support resources for impacted students, faculty and staff will be provided.   
• Student organizations or offices wanting to plan individual gatherings and memorials will be supported by the Director of Student Life. 

When a death occurs on or nearby campus, the university may send a notice to the campus community to reassure them and to direct them to available resources. The decision to send a notice is based on several factors including: 

• Permission from law enforcement and District Attorney’s office 
• Notice to the family  
• Availability of staff to assist impacted community members 
• Time of year (if the university is open or closed) 

After a campus notification, the university often receives news media inquiries and will share appropriate public information about the death. If a campus notification is not made, news inquiries may also occur and public information may be released to the news media.