Procedure No. 60.070
PROTOCOL FOR THE DEATH OF A CAMPUS CONSTITUENT
Date Issued: 04/16/01
Date Effective: 04/04/01
Issued By: President’s Office
Purpose: To ease the notification process, expedite communication, and provide guidelines
for the expression of sympathy in response to the death of students and current or retired
employees.
Policy:
Clarion University recognizes the impact that the loss of a valued colleague and friend has
on the campus community. It is the policy of Clarion University to respond in an
appropriate and sensitive manner to the deaths of campus constituents.
Procedures:
Notification
Sources of information about the death of a student, current employee, or retired
employee may be difficult to anticipate. All members of the university community need to
be aware that information regarding such deaths must immediately be shared with the
appropriate personnel.
Student Death On Campus
The individual who finds the deceased should contact the Office of Public Safety
immediately. (814-393-2111)
The Public Safety Officer in charge shall
a. evaluate whether or not an on-going threat to the campus community exists.
b. initiate immediate action to safeguard members of the campus community.
c. secure the scene to ensure the preservation of evidence.
d. contact the Pennsylvania State Police to request assistance with the investigation.
e. notify the Director of Public Safety.
.The Director of Public Safety shall notify the Vice President for Finance and Administration.
The Vice President for Finance and Administration shall notify the President.

In consultation with the President, determine if the situation is an emergency requiring
activation of the University’s Emergency Response Plan.
Notify all other Vice Presidents and the Director of University Relations.
Divisional Vice Presidents will begin further notification and records facilitation per division
checklists.
The President shall appoint an ombudsperson to assist the family of the deceased student.
Student Death Off Campus
An individual with news of the death of a student off campus should contact the Vice
President for Student Affairs.
The Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee) shall confirm the report of death and
contact the following offices to begin further notification and facilitation of records per
division checklists:
a. President’s Office
b. University Relations
c. Provost’s Office
d. Vice President for Finance and Administration
e. University Advancement Office
The President shall appoint an ombudsperson to assist the family of the deceased student.
Current Employee Death
An individual with news of the death of a current employee should contact the Associate
Vice President for Finance and Administration.
The Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration shall confirm the report of
death and contact the following offices to begin further notification and facilitation of
records per division checklists:
a. President’s Office
b. Department of deceased employee
c. Vice President for Finance and Administration
d. University Advancement Office

The President shall appoint an ombudsperson to assist the family of the deceased
employee.
Retired Employee Death
An individual with news of the death of a retired employee should contact the Associate
Vice President for Finance and Administration.
The Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration shall confirm the report of
death and contact the following offices to begin further notification and facilitation of
records per division checklists:
a. President’s Office
b. Divisional Vice President of retired employee
c. University Advancement Office
Communication
To ensure consistency and accuracy in communication related to the deaths of campus
constituents, information will be provided as follows:
Internal Communication
The President’s Office shall work with the appropriate offices in developing email
announcements of the deaths of students, current employees, family members of current
employees, and/or retired employees.
External Communication
The Director of University Relations shall develop appropriate press releases and respond
to requests for information about the deaths of campus constituents from non-university
parties and the media.
Expressions of Sympathy
Student Death
The Vice President for Student Affairs shall
1. provide next of kin information to the President’s Office and other appropriate offices
for condolence letters.
2. coordinate with the President’s Office the sending of expressions of sympathy on
behalf of the university.

3. identify representation to attend funeral/memorial service.
Current or Retired Employee Death
The Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration shall
1. provide next of kin information to the President’s Office and other appropriate offices
for condolence letters.
2. coordinate with the President’s Office the sending of expressions of sympathy on
behalf of the university.
3. identify representation to attend funeral/memorial service.