At approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday evening, Georgetown first-year student Jeremy Dorfman (CAS ‘06) was discovered to have taken his own life by hanging in his Village C West dormitory room. Dorfman, who was 19, was taken to Georgetown University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead early Sunday morning.
The Department of Public Safety, Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Services, Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Fire Department responded to the emergency call after Dorfman’s body was discovered by his roommate Joel Schubert (MSB ‘06).
Sgt. Guy Poirier of MPD’s Homicide and Violent Crimes unit said that the D.C. Medical Examiner is handling Dorfman’s case. Poirier said that the Medical Examiner’s report may not be released for many months.
Dorfman, a native of Newburyport, Mass., graduated last year from Phillips Exeter Academy, a boarding school in New Hampshire.
Dorfman’s death is the first suicide to take place on campus in 18 years, according to Dr. Paul Steinberg, acting Director of Counseling and Psychiatric Services. Six years ago, another Georgetown student committed suicide while at home in Connecticut, Steinburg said.
According to Steinberg, Dorfman was receiving counseling services at the University prior to his death. “There was concern that he had a very serious [mental health] problem,” Steinberg said.
Steinberg said that when faced with a patient who is diagnosed with clinical depression or exhibits suicidal tendencies, CAPS tries to work with the individual to overcome the problems. “We want to help people struggle through [their problems],” he said.
Steinberg added that CAPS avoids sending students away from the University to deal with their mental health problems. “We try our best to keep people here at the University and sit through the problems,” he said. “Only when they cry uncle do we think it might be best to send them home.”
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson said he believed that Georgetown has a lower rate of suicide than other higher-education institutions because of the campus environment. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has experienced 11 suicides in 11 years, and Cornell University saw nine suicides between 1990 and 2000, according to the Cornell Daily Sun.
“It’s clear that this is a very close-knit community, and there is a strong ethic of people looking after each other,” Olson said. “I think that is the key reason [for the low rate of suicide].”
The University’s policy for dealing with suicide incidents involves a coordinated effort between the Office of Student Affairs, Residence Life, Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Services, among others, according to Olson. The night of Dorfman’s death, the groups actively worked together and ensured that the necessary individuals were informed as quickly as possible, Olson said.
Dorfman’s parents, who live in Massachusetts, were informed of their son’s death “within minutes,” according to Olson. The University continues to be in contact with the Dorfmans.
A funeral service will be held in the Dorfman’s hometown this Saturday at the Old South United Presbyterian Church, according to The Daily News of Newburyport. Interment will be private.
Approximately two hours after Dorfman’s body was discovered, over 300 students attended an ad hoc meeting in the Village C Alumni Lounge. At the meeting, students were addressed by Steinberg, interim University Chaplain Scott Pilarz, S.J. and Georgetown University Student Association President Kaydee Bridges (SFS ‘03). Director of Public Safety William Tucker, former CAPS Director Charles Tartaglia, Associate Dean of Students Jeanne Lord, Rev. Pat Conroy, S.J. and several Residence Life staff were also in attendance.
Both University President John J. DeGioia and Vice President for Student Affairs Juan Gonzalez were traveling at the time, but were aware of the death, Pilarz said.
At the gathering, Pilarz informed students of the incident and said that any students that lived on Dorfman’s floor-the Y-wing of the fourth floor of Village C West-could request alternate living arrangements from the University.
Steinberg advised students at the meeting not to blame themselves for Dorfman’s death. “The wrong thing for people to think is ‘what if I had done this or that?’,” he said. “You can’t feel that sense of responsibility.”
The Office of Student Affairs sent an e-mail to all University students and faculty on Sunday afternoon providing information on the counseling services available to students in dealing with Dorfman’s death.
In response to complaints about the amount of time that elapsed between the discovery of Dorfman’s body and the notification of the campus community, Olson commended the University’s quick response, saying that previous institutions he had worked at may have taken much longer to inform the community.
“The fact that the key people came together and got [the e-mail] out by the next day, I thought was very admirable,” Olson said. “We wanted to notify the family and key people before the general community … I thought the timing was very appropriate.”
Olson said that the University now is focusing its efforts on following up on the individuals who were most directly affected by Dorfman’s death. “We are keeping our eyes open on seeing how people are responding and seeing what students want to do,” he said.
In a statement released Sunday to the press, Assistant Vice President for Communications Julie Green Bataille said, on behalf of the University, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jeremy’s family and friends and our entire campus community during this difficult time.”
Emil Totonchi (SFS ‘06), who lived next door to Dorfman in Village C, characterized him as a truly caring person.
“He was always interested in others and their lives. He genuinely wanted to know how people were doing,” Totonchi said.
Information provided by CAPS
The Georgetown University Counseling and Psychiatric Service has psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers available on a full-time basis, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Students or concerned individuals can call Patrick Lillis at 687-6985 for appointments or consultation. After hours, psychiatrists are available at 687-PAGE—ask for Dr. Paul Steinberg or Dr. Charles Tartaglia. In addition, the Georgetown University Campus Ministry has clergy members of many denominations available for consultation. Appointments can be arranged by calling 687-4300.
