Tufts freshman Lily Diana Karian was found dead in her room in Bush Hall in the earlymorning hours of Dec. 12. It appeared that she committed suicide, Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman wrote in an e-mail to the Tufts community.
"Many students, faculty and staff have been deeply touched by Lily's passing. Many are seeking comfort in sharing their grief with others in the community. Please reach out if you need help or if you know of others who are struggling," he wrote.
Counseling and Mental Health Services workers brought some of Karian's friends together on Tuesday evening and again Wednesday afternoon to share memories of their friend. On Tuesday, students in Bush Hall spoke of the fun times they shared with Karian, and remembered her speaking about her future as late as Dec. 11.
Counseling professionals announced 24-hour-a-day availability for students coping with this loss.
Another informal memorial will take place tonight, Dec. 15, as Karian's parents, twin brother, sister and friends will gather from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Duckett Funeral Home in Sudbury.
A funeral service will take place tomorrow, Dec. 16, beginning at 1 PM at the Sudbury United Methodist Church. Tufts will provide transportation for those who contact the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs by today, Dec. 15, at noon. An on-campus memorial service is set for the spring semester.
"It is at sad times like these when we most need to turn to each other for support and friendship," Reitman wrote.
Karian's family is encouraging students to contribute donations in Karian's memory to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, P.O. Box 9068, New York, N.Y. 10087, or to Doctors Without Borders/USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD, 21741-5030, Reitman wrote.
-Marc Raifman
