UD offers support to students affected by tragedy

5:22 p.m., May 3, 2005--University of Delaware professionals have counseled several students affected by the murder of UD sophomore Lindsey M. Bonistall, and more are expected to seek assistance as they come to terms with the tragedy, John Bishop, associate vice president for counseling and student development, said at a news conference Tuesday morning, May 3.

Ms. Bonistall, a 20-year-old English major from White Plains, N.Y., was found dead after an arson fire in her Towne Court apartment early Sunday, May 1.

Bishop said two groups of students and several individuals had sought assistance thus far at the Center for Counseling and Student Development.

“Some students know the student who was murdered, others are just concerned about the tragedy,” Bishop said. “This is going to continue for some time. This is not going to be a one-day reaction. The University is providing the kind of services that are called for.”

Cynthia Cummings, associate vice president for campus life, and Jim Flatley, interim director of public safety, urged students to take safety precautions and reminded them of tips that are given to all students both on and off campus:

Don’t travel alone at night.

Lock all doors and windows.

Watch out for strangers.

Report any suspicious activity to police.

“Students don’t take their safety as seriously as we would like them to,” Cummings said. “This is a small town; it is a relatively safe town and we reinforce the message that you must be vigilant about your safety, repeatedly. We do it many times a year.’

Flatley said UD police officers have added night patrols around the Newark campus to increase visibility and to help alleviate fears among members of the University community. These are in addition to the added Newark Police Department patrols in the area around campus.

“It is imperative that our department be very visible to members of our community and to help them through this tragedy,” Flatley said.

Cummings said UD would provide transport for students to attend Ms. Bonistall’s funeral services in New York. The University also would assist in planning a memorial service on campus at students’ request, she said.

The Newark Police Department released a statement Tuesday that the cause of Ms. Bonistall’s death was strangulation and that they are actively pursuing new leads that have recently developed.

Article by Martin Mbugua

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