University Of Oregon Apologizes After Making Insensitive Comments Following Fraternity Member’s Death
Tragedy struck the University of Oregon this past weekend after one student died on an unofficial fraternity getaway to Lake Shasta. 21-year-old Phi Gamma Delta member Dylan Pietrs was found unresponsive in his tent Saturday.
Getaways at Lake Shasta have long been a mainstay for Oregon’s Greek life. And while a cause of death has not yet even been specified, the university took this as an opportunity to highlight how much they disapprove of the Lake Shasta weekend tradition.
Below is an excerpt from a since-updated official statement posted by the University of Oregon’s Division of Student Life:
It is important to point out that this tragedy is connected to an unauthorized tradition among many college students. Students from many institutions have a history of demonstrating poor life choices during visits to Lake Shasta. These activities are contrary to the values of the University and Fraternity and Sorority Organization.
Please join us in offering our sincere condolences to all affected by this incident.
Yeah. As you might imagine, this did not go over well. Students responded with outrage toward the school’s brash insensitivity. Several of those close to Dylan, along with others who don’t appreciate trivializing a student’s death, stormed Twitter to voice their displeasure.
Apparently that last little bit about offering up condolences didn’t make up for the bashing that preceded it. It wasn’t long before school officials realized that they fucked up.
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Dealing with sensitive matters takes a certain amount of tact, especially when fatalities are involved. Unfortunately, the University of Oregon dropped the ball big time with their original statement. It was (and is) far too soon for them to be making any sort of bold proclamations or doing anything other than helping those affected process their grief.
Our hearts go out to everyone at the University of Oregon and beyond affected by this tragedy. Here’s to hoping that the university can learn from this so that nobody else has to see their loved one’s death exploited..
Image via Wikimedia Commons
Definitely too soon to be pitching a Life Lesson, especially since they don’t know the cause of death. But let’s assume that, hypothetically, a student somewhere, fraternity member or geed, dies after consuming too much drugs or alcohol. At what point should someone say, “Stop making bad choices!”
7 years ago at 5:03 pmBack me up here, SharkWeek.
7 years ago at 5:04 pmIt sounds like you’re saying “When bad things happen at some point the life lesson has to come. But when?”
I think that just about anything can be said at just about any time but that what makes the difference is: the WAY you say it; the context; and conveying that you’re on the side of those you’re speaking to (in some way or another).
So to answer the question of “when” I’d say I don’t believe there is a set amount of time, you have to know your audience. But again, it’s not the time that matters but the way.
It’s said “No on cares what you know until they know that you care.”
The first statement came across as an “us vs them” “We told you so” “Do things our way or shit like this happens” and THAT’S the problem (the words “poor life choices” was literally the worst thing that could have been included). Plus you have the impersonal medium of text not helping anything.
The first statement could have included sincerity for the loss as WELL as sincerity in suggesting that this tradition is in need of evaluation and tweaking.
Lemme try (and lemme know what you think.):
7 years ago at 8:22 amStudents, Faculty, Staff, Friends, and Loved ones,
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of one University of Oregon’s own.
21-year-old Dylan Pietrs, a (xyz) major and Phi Gamma Delta member, was found unresponsive in his tent Saturday on getaway to Lake Shasta. Our deepest condolences go out to all those affected by this tragedy.
This trip an unofficial tradition for much of U of O’s Greek Life. The (Dean of Students) will be meeting with IFC and other members of Greek Life to discuss ways to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.
7 years ago at 8:35 amNo need to come out the gate swinging “You guys fucked up, don’t be so stupid”
Keep It Simple Stupid:
First thing, state you care. Then you further care by taking action (meeting with Greek life). Only THEN do you IMPLY the chance to learn (as opposed to accusing people): taking action to prevent tragedy.
So this takes wisdom on their part to realize: “We can’t stop unofficial traditions in one swift move, but we can act in the official capacity we do have to express our concern about the tradition, affect change and work with those involved to reduce risk to life and limb.
7 years ago at 8:43 amSharkweek is like the ancient sage that lives a top the mountain that people go to when they need insight. I have a question for his sharkiness, when is the next shark week article?
7 years ago at 8:53 amGood one, SharkWeek. You should work in a university’s PR office.
7 years ago at 11:46 amCan we get some more love for shark bois these days?
7 years ago at 8:30 amI love sharks. They’re delicious when properly prepared.
7 years ago at 10:28 am