3 OSU students take their own lives, students want change

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Oklahoma State University confirmed three students who attend classes at the Stillwater campus have taken their own lives since August.

Some students say they believe it's because of added stress from the pandemic.

OSU Senior, Lacey Hickey, started a petition to have a pass-fail grading option as students turn the corner into finals season.

"It really feels like the heart of this campus is broken," Hickey said.

Another OSU Senior, Payton Dougherty, is demanding change with Hickey as they mourn the loss of their peers.

"If allowing a pass-fail option reduced student stress levels enough to save even just one more life then it would pay for itself in full," Dougherty said.

The two students believe that alleviating academic pressure would help.

"College has always been stressful, that's normal," Dougherty said, "But it's not normal to do college in a pandemic."

The university gave a pass-fail option at the end of the spring semester.

Doug Hallenbeck, OSU's vice president of student affairs, said they had all summer to prepare for classes this fall.

"It's been, like I said, unlike anything we've dealt with in the past," Hallenbeck said, "But there are certain things that come with pass/fail option that are long-term ramifications."

Hallenbeck said those are things such as financial aid and acceptance to post-graduate programs where your GPA matters.

"For us, it really is a part of the academic integrity of the institution to be able to give grades," Hallenbeck said.

The university said they don't want to speculate that the student deaths were related to the pandemic.

"I would say anytime you have three suicides in a semester, or in a year, that that would be a little bit unusual," Hallenbeck said, "Not unprecedented, but a little bit unusual for sure."

"One friend of mine said that maybe some of these feelings had started back in March which is of course when the pandemic first started," Hickey said.

The two undergraduates said student life has been different, and they worry that the stigma around mental health stops some from reaching out.

"Not everyone can go home and feel safe," Hickey said, "Some people feel safe here."

Hickey said she's used the counseling services at OSU for three years and has always had a positive experience.

"I can't expect people to be where I am, but it hurts my heart that they aren't," Hickey said.

The petition Hickey started already has more than 4,000 signatures.