Policies & Procedures

GA2013 Responding to and Communicating about the Death of a Campus Community Member Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish SUNY Broome Community College’s commitment to communicating the death of a currently enrolled student or active employee with compassion, clarity, and institutional consistency. Recognizing that such losses deeply impact our college community, this policy supports respectful and timely communication aligned with the wishes of the deceased’s family and the emotional well-being of students, faculty, and staff.

Statement of the Policy

SUNY Broome will coordinate official communication following the verified death of a currently enrolled student or active employee in a manner that is respectful, accurate, and consistent. Communication will be overseen by the Office of the President and executed in collaboration with the appropriate departments, as outlined in the College’s companion procedure.

This policy affirms that:

• All communications regarding the death of a campus community member must follow the guidelines and workflows detailed in the corresponding procedure.
• Public announcements will not be made until verification has occurred and the appropriate contact with the family has been made.
• Any potential Memorial events or tributes shall be coordinated through the Office of the President and Special Events.
• The College does not promote or endorse personal fundraising campaigns (e.g., GoFundMe) unless coordinated officially through the BCC Foundation.
• All media and external inquiries must be directed to the Office of Marketing, Communications, and Public Information.

Related Procedures

• Procedure: Responding to and Communicating about the Death of a Campus Community Member
• GA2012 – Marketing & Communications Policy
• GA2012.4 – External Media Relations Procedure

To Whom It Applies

This policy applies to all SUNY Broome faculty, staff, administrators, and departments responsible for communication, student support, human resources, and public engagement.

General Guidelines

• Communications should not be made until verification is complete and the family has been contacted.
• Messaging must remain consistent, equitable, and in alignment with College values and privacy considerations.
• Personal and social media statements should be deferred until a formal campus announcement has been issued.
• Counseling resources will be available and promoted in all related communications.

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy the following definitions apply.

• Campus Community Member: A currently enrolled student or active employee.
• Formal Campus Communication: A verified and institutionally approved announcement made via the President’s Office.
• Memorial Events or Tributes-: A campus-sanctioned activity or tribute organized in coordination with the Office of the President.