Oxford University and Corpus Christi College take action following student suicide

CW: Suicide.

Oxford University and Corpus Christi College are taking forward an independent review’s recommendations following a student’s suicide in January. The recently concluded inquest “highlighted broader cultural issues relating to what is known as ‘social ostracism’ or ‘social cancelling’” according to an email from Corpus to its students.

According to the inquest, at the beginning of Hilary Term the student had a sexual encounter with someone who then expressed “discomfort” to friends, and word got around. Days later, the student committed suicide.

A joint spokesperson for the University and Corpus said that the college commissioned an independent review to identify all learnings and aim to minimise the chances of such a loss happening again.

A Corpus working group is taking forward all of the review’s recommendations, a number of which have already been implemented. The University is also working on the review’s recommendations as part of its ongoing work on student welfare.

The spokesperson cannot disclose details of the review right now, but will follow with more information once the work is finalised.

This year’s Corpus freshers week saw the addition of a “Living in a College Community” workshop that guided students through scenarios, including one in which a peer is rumoured to have done something wrong, emphasising tolerance.

The spokesperson continued: “We note that the coroner will be writing to the Department for Education about wider issues arising from today’s inquest, and we will respond to any further guidance for the higher education sector.”

The coroner’s report stated: “Evidence suggests that social ostracism is a recognised practice within student communities, with multiple cases observed and acknowledged by both students and staff. The evidence was that this may be an issue more broadly for Universities in the UK. 

“Students appear to employ social ostracism as a means of ‘self-policing’ their community, often in response to allegations of serious misconduct. This occurs in the absence of formal processes and without proper investigation or evidence.”

The case has garnered national media attention. Last week, Corpus temporarily entered a “lockdown” due to “security issues” after the Daily Mail entered the college without permission, the porters told students.

Cherwell does not report on specific deaths unless requested by family or close friends.