Submitted by concerned parent, Sep 27, 2007 15:15

My son came home last year (his Freshman year) on medical leave from NYU.

Sleep deprived and depressed, he could no longer continue to live away from home, because we feared for his health and safety. He returned to NYU this year under different living conditions and with a better understanding and expectation of what living in NY and being in college would be like and seems to be doing MUCH better.

I don't know this boy's situation or the circumstance that led to this tragedy. I don't know what red flags there may or may not have been. I don't know what school officials could, or should have done. So I am in no way defending OR blaming ANYONE.

What I will say, just because I feel it deserves to be said, is that *in our family's experience* NYU as a school, and Tisch School of the Arts as the department of attendance could not possibly have been more supportive, understanding, and attentive to the issue and to our son's overall well-being. At every turn in our struggle a year ago, I was met with one administrator, teacher or R.A after another that took my concerns seriously, offered advice, assistance and guidance to our entire family, and kept contact in the spirit of concern even after my son arrived home.

We were lucky. Help IS available and I do believe there is a solution to this problem. In our case, sending our son back to NYU with very clearly defined expectations on OUR part was the solution.

Every case is different, I'm sure.

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