In a tragic turn of events, two New York University (NYU) students lost their lives within days of each other last week.
Jacqueline Beauzile, 19, was found unresponsive at Lipton Hall on Thursday and was later pronounced dead by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), according to police officials.
In a separate incident, the body of 18-year-old Doreah Salti was discovered outside the Barney building on Stuyvesant Street around 7:30 PM. She was later pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital, with trauma on her body suggesting a fall or jump from the building. Amidst speculations of Salti's death being a suicide, her family maintains the belief that it was an unfortunate accident.
John Beckman, a spokesperson for the university, expressed the institution's sorrow over the tragic incidents. "The death of any young person is a source of sorrow to the NYU community," he stated. The cause of death for both students is yet to be determined.
Beauzile was a resident of Lipton Hall, a dormitory primarily for first-year students. An email was sent to the residents of the hall and their parents following her death. The email read, "It is our somber duty to let members of the Lipton Hall community know that late this afternoon, a member of the Lipton Hall community was found unresponsive in her suite by University personnel.
However, the university's response to these incidents has been met with criticism. Chelsea Laury, a 22-year-old student, told the New York Post that the university's mental health care for students is inadequate and understaffed. "I get accommodations for my mental health here, but its almost like playing the lottery, she said. When you do get them, its crumbs.
Other students complained about the lack of proper communication from the university regarding the deaths. A senior named Stephanie expressed her frustration, saying, "I had no idea. Thats awful. I didnt get any email or anything. Its aggravating. The school doesnt do a great job of keeping people informed. NYU hasnt been very impressive with that. Everything is very bureaucratic and slow."
The incidents have raised concerns about student welfare at NYU, which has reportedly seen at least four students commit suicide since 2018. The annual cost for tuition, room, and board at the university is approximately $84,000.
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