More details are emerging related to an incident that occurred on the University of North Georgia Dahlonega campus Thursday morning.
UNG Vice President for Student Engagement & Success Dr. Alyson Paul issued a statement to students, faculty, and the UNG community Thursday afternoon reporting the sudden death of Cadet Elijah (Eli) Rosser.
“Our community is heartbroken to share the loss of another student earlier this morning. Cadet Elijah (Eli) Rosser passed away suddenly. Eli was a member of the Boar’s Head Brigade and was part of the Leadership Development Program (LDP) and the Color Guard. Eli was a junior international affairs and political science major from Toccoa, Georgia,” Paul said.
Paul did not release a cause of death. Her statement reminds the community of the importance of mental health.
“If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help. There is no shame in asking for support. Please take care of yourself as well as your friends and other community members,” she said.
In Paul’s statement, faculty are asked to be kind and reasonable should students need time away from class the remainder of Thursday and Friday.
“We understand that this news is incredibly difficult to process and we want to remind you of the support services available,” she said. Paul listed services that are available should students or someone in the community need counseling or mental health assistance during this difficult time.
- Counseling Services will have same-day crisis appointments with additional counselors available tomorrow. Appointments can be made at 706-867-4402.
- 24/7 Mental Health Support: Call UNG’s line at 833-910-3368.
- If you are experiencing thoughts of harm or suicide, please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Georgia Crisis Access Line at 1-800-715-4225 or “MyGCAL” app offers text and chat support.
- Campus Ministries: Various organizations are available for spiritual support. Contact information can be found in UNG Connect.
- Employee Assistance Program: Faculty and staff can access services at 1.844.243.4400 or Usg.mylifeexpert.com (Code: USGCares)
Paul reminds the UNG community that this has been an “incredibly hard” semester filled with grief and loss due to the deaths of three students and a faculty member.
“To reflect on our shared losses, we invite all community members to gather briefly at noon tomorrow, November 1st in front of the review stand on the Drill Field to honor all of the members of our community we have lost this semester.” Paul said. She added, “If you are unable to join us tomorrow at noon, I invite you to participate in a moment of silence,”
Counselors will be available Friday to assist individuals and groups who are struggling with this sudden loss.
Classes are cancelled from 12 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. Friday, November 1st, to allow the community to participate during this time.
“May we find strength in our community as we mourn these losses together,” Paul concludes. She did not release the cause of Rosser’s death in her statement.
University of North Georgia officials issued a campus safety alert Thursday morning after an incident on the Dahlonega campus.
Officials did not offer specifics, describing it only as an “isolated incident” in the school’s south parking deck.
“Authorities are on the scene, and there is no threat to the community,” said UNG’s Director of News and Communications, Clark Leonard.
The university asked students and the public at large to avoid the area until further notice “to allow emergency personnel to work safely.”
