President Boren's statement

Published: April 26, 2007

University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren

April 26, 2006

I am deeply disappointed by a media report that could lead to the revival of unfounded rumors about an OU student’s apparent suicide more than a year and a half ago. Our society is not well served by encouraging insensitivity or by raising unnecessary levels of fear in the broader community.

We need to encourage understanding and compassion in our society instead of more anger and intolerance based upon misinformation. What kind of people would we be if we refused to allow a grieving family the right to remember their deceased son or brother? Of course, if there had been any evidence that he was attempting to harm others our decision would have been different, but there was none.

No evidence was ever found to indicate that the deceased ever attempted to enter our stadium or ever intended to do so nor was there a single shred of evidence to link him to terrorist groups. There was never any evidence developed to sustain any theory other than suicide in the very thorough briefings provided to me by law enforcement regarding the situation.

I regret that the news story may have left the impression that the student’s death was anything other than a suicide.

The University did not erect a monument in honor of this student. The pavers are placed there by those who purchase them for a charge of $150 per stone, in this case the son’s father, and the proceeds go toward the upkeep of the student union. We are very proud of the fact that members of our university family are sensitive and compassionate to family members impacted by this student’s death.