A Stanford student was found dead in her dorm from an apparent suicide after receiving a letter from her school’s Conduct Office. After her death, her family established Katie’s Save, which has the mission to provide an emergency contact for students between their university and designated advocates. Under this initiative, during fall registration, students would fill out a form in which NKU asks for the student’s consent to notify an advocate of their choice if they experience a situation that may require extra support. The advocate is then encouraged to check on their student to ensure their well-being. In theory, such an initiative may have saved Katie’s life. This would be a wonderful initiative to implement at NKU for two reasons:

It Respects Student Choice

On the form for Katie’s Save, students can check off situations in which they do and do not consent to their advocate being notified. When their advocate is notified, they are given minimal information, and no specific details are disclosed without further consent from the student. Students can revoke consent at any time.

It Ensures the Well-Being of the Student Body (Physical, Mental, and Emotional)

Going through conduct proceedings, or through any of the situations mentioned in the form linked above, is extremely stressful. In the moment, when faced with a Conduct charge or other difficult situation, students may not reach out to anyone because they feel embarrassed, afraid of judgment, or uncertain of what’s going on. However, it is during these difficult moments that students need support the most. After receiving notification, the student’s advocate is encouraged to check on their student to make sure that they are well. Imagine, if that were implemented, how much less isolating the process would become, and what tragedies could be prevented.

What's signing a petition going to do?

Soon, this initiative will be presented to NKU's Student Government Association, which acts as a liaison between students and the university officials who have the power to implement it. The more support this initiative has from the student body, the easier it will be to convince SGA to push for it. Take two seconds to sign and share this petition because no one in the NKU community should ever be left alone or unsupported.