A study of institutional response to completed student suicide in the University of Wisconsin System

Abstract

This study identified the incidence of completed student suicide and the extent to which institutions within the University of Wisconsin System were responding to the needs of suicide survivors on their campuses. The University of Wisconsin System is comprised of 27 institutions. Surveys were sent to Counseling Center Directors and Student Services Directors from the four- and two-year campuses, respectively. Responses were received from 11 of the four-year campuses and 11 of the two-year center campuses for an 81.4% response rate. The results indicated that most of the institutions in the University of Wisconsin System did not have written policies for managing student suicide. Responses indicated that there was a lack of assigned roles, although it appeared from the results that at most institutions the Dean of Students or the Campus Dean was the person who had primary responsibility for coordinating the steps involved in managing student suicide. Recommendations were made for institutions within the University of Wisconsin System to develop and implement written policies for managing student death. Also, recommendations were made for further study of this topic.