The University of Oregon apologized on Sunday for an “insensitive” statement about the death of a student that drew widespread criticism on campus and online.
The student, identified by authorities as Dylan Pietrs, a 21-year-old business major and fraternity member, was found unresponsive on Saturday in his tent near Shasta Lake, in Northern California, according to The Oregonian. Shasta Lake is known as a popular party destination where college students camp and drink on the water.
Authorities said they do not yet know whether the student’s death was directly related to foul play, alcohol consumption, or any fraternity activity. But when the university first announced the death of Pietrs, its statement linked the tragedy to the lake’s reputation as the site of excessive partying.
“As devastating as this sudden passing is, it is important to point out that this tragedy is connected to an unauthorized tradition among many college students,” read the statement, attributed to the university’s Division of Student Life. “Students from many institutions have a history of demonstrating poor life choices during visits to Lake Shasta.”
The mother of the student, Kelly Pietrs, told a local TV station that the university’s comments had added “insult to injury.”
Others also criticized the statement. People on the campus called the initial letter “tone deaf” and “insensitive.”
Officials at the university then apologized, saying the tone of the initial message was “insensitive” and offering their “deepest condolences to the friends and family of the student.” The portions of the statement regarding “poor life choices” were removed.
“The death is tragic, and the university offers its deepest sympathy to family and friends of Dylan and the communities he was a part of at the University of Oregon,” reads the updated statement.
“The intent was to quickly respond to a tragic situation and provide resources to support the community members affected by Dylan’s passing,” wrote R. Kevin Marbury, vice president for student life, in his own apology. “That statement should have reflected that our focus was and remains on assisting Dylan’s family and friends as they deal with this news.”
“We made a mistake and very much regret the original statement,” said Kyle Henley, vice president for university communications, in response to a request for comment by The Chronicle. “It took the focus away from a tragedy, and we should have handled it differently. Dylan was a valued member of our community and deserved better.”
“We are continuing to offer support and services to Dylan’s family and friends as they deal with this news,” Henley added. He said the university would “continue to look at more ways to support all of our students, whether it be on or off campus.”
The updated statement also deleted language describing students’ behavior at Lake Shasta as “contrary to the values of the university and fraternity and sorority organization.”
Shasta Lake has drawn scrutiny for college students’ raucous and occasionally destructive activity there, according to The Washington Post, which covered a 2016 incident in which a fraternity left behind huge amounts of garbage for crews to pick up.
