For the second time in less than two years, a University of Southern Mississippi student is dead after an unspecified incident at the campus’ parking garage on West 4th Street in Hattiesburg.
According to a statement issued on September 29 by university president Joe Paul, the student was transferred to a local hospital on the night of September 28 and passed away “following (the) night’s tragedy at the parking garage.” Officials from the university’s police department said there was no associated criminal threat to the campus community, but asked students and travelers to remain clear of the area for the time being.
“To the student’s family and friends, I share in your grief,” Paul’s statement reads. “To the entire Southern Miss community, know that I and many, many others care for you.”
Following the incident, staff from the university’s Student Counseling Services reached out to the student’s friends to officer assistance. Walk-ins are welcome at the counseling services’ office in Bond Hall on campus.
SCS also can be reached at (601) 266-4829 during regular business hours and at 988 after 5 p.m. and on weekends. Faculty members are being encouraged to allow flexibility for students who may have been affected by the incident.
Additional resources include:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which can be reached by calling 988.
- Individuals who are concerned about a friend, classmate or anyone who is part of the Southern Miss community may anonymously complete a CARES Report, which utilizes a team of campus professionals to quickly connect students to resources that address student concerns related to academics and health. That includes but is not limited to self-harm, family difficulties, stress management, mental health concerns, addictions, Code of Conduct violations, Title IX issues, Clery Act issues and issues of academic integrity such as plagiarism. If the concern warrants immediate assistance, call university police at (601) 266-4986.
- Southern Miss also offers an Employee Assistance Program for faculty and staff. Through that program, trained clinicians will listen to participants and help them or family members with issues including anxiety, depression or stress.
“Again, I am terribly saddened to deliver you this news this morning,” Paul said in the statement. “The university will continue to do all we can to best support you throughout your time at Southern Miss.”
Full details are pending an investigation by the university’s police department.
The previous student death at the parking lot occurred in October 2021, in another undisclosed incident at that site.
Following that incident, then-president Rodney Bennett and vice president for student affairs Dee Dee Anderson issued a statement to the university community.
“As longtime university staff members and as the parents of college-aged students, we sympathize with the significant and serious nature of stress and anxiety felt by students,” the statement read. “We want each of you to know that you have significant value, we value your health and well-being, and we care for you.”
