Freshman found dead in dorm room
The student was found unconscious in his dorm room and pronounced dead.
Alexander Comisar
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: News
A USC freshman was found dead in his New/North dorm room around noon Wednesday, after suffering from what appears to be an accidental drug overdose, USC Department of Public Safety officials said.
Michael Weiss, a freshman majoring in business administration, was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:20 p.m., according to the Los Angeles City Coroner's office, after a New/North residential advisor alerted DPS that he was unconscious.
Wednesday afternoon, Michael L. Jackson, vice president for student affairs, notified the USC student community of the incident via e-mail.
"I am writing today to inform you of the tragic death of a student," Jackson said in the e-mail. "LAPD and the Los Angeles County coroner's office are investigating the cause of death with assistance from the USC Department of Public Safety."
Los Angeles Police Department officials said drug paraphernalia was found in Weiss' dorm room, but they were unwilling to disclose an official cause of death.
"At 12:01 today, DPS received a call concerning someone not breathing," said DPS Capt. David Carlisle. "DPS officials dispatched and the Los Angeles Fire Department was called. DPS arrived shortly after with L.A. paramedics right behind them."
In the weeks before Weiss' death, the New/North complex had seen a series of incidents involving substance abuse, prompting a mass e-mail to residents warning of a new zero tolerance drug use policy. The e-mail was sent March 30, three days before Weiss' death.
"All instances of any misconduct will be dealt with swiftly and harshly," the e-mail said. "All violations can result in permanent consequences for your academic career."
The e-mail said DPS had been instructed to be on regular alert for the building.
Jackson said USC Counseling Services personnel would be available to talk to any students affected.
- Janna Brancolini contributed to this report
Michael Weiss, a freshman majoring in business administration, was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:20 p.m., according to the Los Angeles City Coroner's office, after a New/North residential advisor alerted DPS that he was unconscious.
Wednesday afternoon, Michael L. Jackson, vice president for student affairs, notified the USC student community of the incident via e-mail.
"I am writing today to inform you of the tragic death of a student," Jackson said in the e-mail. "LAPD and the Los Angeles County coroner's office are investigating the cause of death with assistance from the USC Department of Public Safety."
Los Angeles Police Department officials said drug paraphernalia was found in Weiss' dorm room, but they were unwilling to disclose an official cause of death.
"At 12:01 today, DPS received a call concerning someone not breathing," said DPS Capt. David Carlisle. "DPS officials dispatched and the Los Angeles Fire Department was called. DPS arrived shortly after with L.A. paramedics right behind them."
In the weeks before Weiss' death, the New/North complex had seen a series of incidents involving substance abuse, prompting a mass e-mail to residents warning of a new zero tolerance drug use policy. The e-mail was sent March 30, three days before Weiss' death.
"All instances of any misconduct will be dealt with swiftly and harshly," the e-mail said. "All violations can result in permanent consequences for your academic career."
The e-mail said DPS had been instructed to be on regular alert for the building.
Jackson said USC Counseling Services personnel would be available to talk to any students affected.
- Janna Brancolini contributed to this report
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
Ernie
posted 4/03/08 @ 12:59 AM PST
Drug/alcohol prevention programs do not get the message across to young people effectively. They're abstract, impersonal and seem like "broken records. (Continued…)
R Seymour
posted 4/03/08 @ 10:17 AM PST
So could USC examine a more progressive policy of Harm Reduction as opposed to Zero Tolerance? Even the USC Drug Free site seems to support rehab over zero tolerance. (Continued…)
Ryan
posted 4/03/08 @ 11:18 AM PST
How horribly sad. My thoughts and prayers are with the Weiss family and I trust my own feelings reflect the rest of our student body. God bless.
Cassandra
posted 4/05/08 @ 9:32 AM PST
This is so sad....you can even see his profile on facebook. I just hope he's on to better things and hope the family can recover.
Sarah
posted 4/05/08 @ 6:44 PM PST
I am a parent who is concerned about the policies regarding alcohol and drugs at USC. Last year my son's roommate was drunk 3 to 4 times per week to blackout. (Continued…)
Sam Blackmar
posted 4/06/08 @ 11:48 PM PST
I attended two years of high school with Michael at Francis Parker high school. He was raised in a zero tolerance envioronment that not only rejected drug abuse, but rejected and left undisclosed crucial authentic facts regarding the nature of available narcotic substances. (Continued…)
Barry
posted 4/07/08 @ 2:03 AM PST
I believe that there should be a mandatory no-grade program offered for eight weeks for in-coming freshmen during the summer before entry, or during the first eight weeks of the fall or spring semesters. (Continued…)
J
posted 4/07/08 @ 12:30 PM PST
In response to your comment, Sarah, USC does not know about that student's behavior.
Many times just because a student is cited by DPS or "disciplined" for alcohol does not mean he will be sent off to rehab. (Continued…)
Ashley
posted 4/08/08 @ 12:36 AM PST
Everyone recognizes this as a tragic situation- including myself. However, USC is not to blame for this young man's poor decision making. USC makes an effort to educate it's students about alcohol use. (Continued…)
wana
posted 4/12/08 @ 4:03 AM PST
Omg, that's awful. Why do people keep ruining their lives like that?
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