Wednesday morning around 2:30 a.m., a Reinert Hall resident jumped from his fourth-story window in what the St. Louis Police Department is labeling an attempted suicide. The students name is being withheld.
After the arrival of the Department of Public Safety officers, Residence Life employees and the police on hand, the student was taken to Saint Louis University Hospital. He broke a leg, wrist and a broken toe.
“He’s alive; his lungs are operating; there are no spinal injuries. He’s very articulate, and he really knows what is going on,” explained Reinert Hall Campus Minister Sister Jeannine DeClue who visited the student yesterday.
Director of DPS Jack Titone said, “We were told the boy was despondent after coming home from socializing and was told by his girlfriend that they were going to break up.”
“The saddest thing for me is that there are steps before that final desperate step,” DeClue said.
Shortly after the incident, Director of Residence Life Leonard Jones was contacted and arrived at the scene.
He explained that the role of Residence Life in these situations is “to provide the emotional support not only to the student who experienced this but also with others in the community.
Jones added that Residence Life tries to work with the experts such as the Student Health Center and Campus Ministry.
Despite the window stops on the Reinert windows, some students are able to pry the stops out and open the window fully.
“[Open windows] are tempting to kids who think it’s the end,” DeClue said.
With the option of more secure window locks, Mike G’Sell, Director of Building Services, points out that such action might put more students at risk in the event of a fire.
As for the student, DeClue is optimistic. “He can handle it, and he will handle it.”
“He’s still alive-he has his whole life ahead of him,” Declue added. She continued by explaining that many adults went through the same feelings when they were younger.
DeClue takes pride in SLU for its caring students. “It’s the support of your friends who get you through the day-that is such a precious reality.”
In light of the incident, Titone recommends, “Please use the University Counseling Service or Campus Ministry when faced with problematic situations.”
