Residents of JQA Meet

The Daily Collegian - 4/7/08

Following the death of a student, University of Massachusetts officials held an informational meeting on Friday in the John Quincy Adams residence hall.

The meeting, which offered students with both facts and resources surrounding the death of sophomore Liam O'Donnelly, was presented by campus leaders including Interim Chancellor Thomas Cole, Dean of Students Jo-Anne Vanin and Police Chief Barbara O'Connor.

"This is one of the unfortunate things about being chancellor," Cole said to students at the meeting. "I wish I could tell you how I feel at this point, after hearing of the death of Liam."

O'Donnelly, 20, from Hingham, Mass., fell to the ground from his room in 1704 John Quincy Adams Tower at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Friday. He was remembered as quiet and reserved by members of his community.

Sam Ameyaw, the resident assistant on the 17th floor, saw O'Donnelly in the men's bathroom the day before his death.

"He was the same Liam… he's a soft-spoken guy, he keeps to himself most of the time… nobody suspected anything," he said.

"I went to [Norfolk County Agricultural] High School with Liam," said UMass junior Marielle Livesey. "He was quiet but he was a nice guy… I liked him a lot."

Chief O'Connor said it didn't seem that alcohol was an issue but is still waiting on a toxicology report from the medical examiner.

She said that because the case is still under investigation, she could not disclose whether there was a note left in O'Donnelly's single room but did say that the door to his room was locked and no foul play is suspected. O'Connor asked anyone with information to call the police.

Dr. Linda Scott, a staff psychologist from Mental Health Services, said there will be another meeting to address O'Donnelly's death within the next few days.

"It is about coming together as a community… this is a very difficult time for everyone," she said.