By OLIVIA SLUTSKY
STAFF WRITER
The Rutgers University community is stunned by the sudden death of a freshman who committed suicide after his roommate recorded him engaging in sexual intercourse with another male student and streamed it online.
The Facebook page, "In Honor of Tyler Clementi," reflects the grief felt by Rutgers students, and even features many comments from people who didn’t know him.
The group is a way for the distraught students, families, and friends to express the way they feel about Clementi’s passing and his life.
“I chose Rutgers because it takes pride in being one of the most diverse universities in the country. This incident shocks me and I have already begun to see an uprising in the student body against this hatred,” said Alanna Kirschbaum, a sophomore at Rutgers University, referring to the comments she has seen on Facebook.
A close friend of Clementi’s, Lisa Napolitano, is outraged. “Tyler was very quiet but he was a really nice kid,” she said. “I’m truly in disbelief at what has happened. It’s sad how someone can be so cruel to even the kindest of people. Something really needs to be done to help prevent future cyber-bullying and harassment.”
Cyber bullying has taken a toll on the Rutgers community. In an email sent out on Sept. 29th at 7:34 p.m. to the Rutgers student body, President McCormick said: “Two fellow Rutgers students have been arrested and charged with invasion of privacy for their actions in that incident. If the charges are true, these actions gravely violate the university’s standards of decency and humanity.”
On Sept. 30th, a day of silence will be held to recognize the passing of Tyler Clementi. |
