As word of Mark Fisher’s tragic death spread across campus, many students have been left shocked and puzzled.
While many questions remain about the events surrounding his death, the administration urges students to remain calm and not spread any speculation and rumors.
“We all have the natural urge to want to know more information or exactly what happened,” said Dean of Students Mark Reed by e-mail. “Unfortunately, today’s media is often focused on the ‘breaking news’ without regard to sensitivity for victims’ families or friends. I urge students to resist that temptation and be supportive of Mark’s friends.”
Most students were first notified by an e-mail sent by The Office of the Dean of Students Monday afternoon. Reed said the school first heard about the incident late Sunday.
“The first report of an apparent homicide involving a Fairfield student came from the New York city police department late Sunday night. The call went to security.
At the request of the NYPD, no information was shared or released until they gave clearance late in the afternoon on Monday,” he said.
Fairfield is being cooperative with detectives and allowing them to interview Mark’s friends who were with him on Saturday night in an attempt to follow any possible leads.
“The university will provide any information we legally can to NYPD investigators. The incident occurred off-campus, so security does not have an active role in the investigation,” Reed said.
Security declined to comment on any information they had regarding the case, referring all calls to Martha Milcarek, the vice president of Public Relations at Fairfield.
“We have been receiving calls all day from shocked friends on and off campus asking us where to send letters and flowers,” she said. “We are currently trying to contact his family to get the details on the date and time of a memorial service.”
At 9:00 p.m. Monday night the school held a small service at Egan Chapel for Fisher’s closest friends.
A service open to all students is planned for Oct. 21.
“When there is a university-wide mass or memorial service to honor and remember Mark, I suspect that a large number of students will be present,” Reed said.
FUSA president Kevin Neubauer, ’05, was stunned when he received the news Monday.
“This is really a terrible tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and friends, as well as the rest of the Fairfield student body,” Neubauer said. “I encourage students to utilize the counseling services available.”
Reed agrees that students who are having a difficult time dealing with Fisher’s death have a variety of options on campus to help them.
“[The administration] will do the normal things we do everyday, but they will likely be more visible to students as more people might be seeking those resources. This includes the availability and reaching out of campus ministry, counseling services, and residence life,” Reed said.
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