It has been nearly a week since the fatal car crash that killed Otterbein student PJ Cleary and 35-year-old Richard Birney. The university has still not released an official statement regarding the incident. We believe that this is not only a fault on the hands of Otterbein’s administration, but uncharacteristic of the Model Community the university promotes.
A moment of silence was held in remembrance of Cleary prior to Saturday’s men’s basketball game. Otterbein Greek Life has also planned a memorial service to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 24. While students and other organizations have come together to remember Cleary, the university continues to remain silent.
In comparison, last spring after the passing of student Kyle Miller, Otterbein released an official statement via email on March 19, 2014. Although students coordinated many of the memorial events for Miller, Otterbein was public with both its support and grief. So far, this has not been the case for Cleary.
As we approach the one week mark of Cleary’s death, we at Otterbein360 have done our best to cover the developments relating to the crash as well as the mood of the student body. We question why the Otterbein administration has done so little in response to this tragedy.
Editor's Note:
Jennifer Hill, Director of marketing and communications released the following via email:"The Otterbein administration would like to make a clarification on recent stories published by Otterbein360 regarding former student PJ Cleary, including "First official report details fatal crash involving Otterbein student Patrick Cleary." According to the Office of the Registrar, PJ was last enrolled at Otterbein in Spring 2014. He did not enroll for the 2014-15 school year and was not a current student or alumnus. We would, however, like to offer the following official statement."
Although PJ was no longer enrolled at Otterbein, the University has felt his loss deeply since the tragic accident last week. The moment of silence before the basketball game, Greek Life remembrance and statements to Otterbein360 reporters upon request by University representatives expressed publicly the administration's sympathy. Otterbein officials have reached out with condolences to PJ's family. We know many students will honor his memory in various ways and we'll offer support as needed. It is tragic when any young person loses their life - for that person's peers, friends and family. Our condolences are abundant.
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