The following statement was issued by William Jenkins, President Emeritus and Acting Chancellor of LSU:

It is with great sadness that I inform the LSU community that one of our students passed away Wednesday night as a result of meningitis. This is a tragedy for all of us, especially the student’s family and friends. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Meningitis is a serious illness. I want to assure you that precautions have been taken for those who may have come in contact with the student in their workplace, and they have been notified and provided with medication. None of them have shown symptoms of the meningitis, and all indications are that this is an isolated case. The student was not enrolled in summer school and did not live on campus.

If you have any questions or concerns about meningitis, please contact the LSU Student Health Center at 225-578-6271. For anyone who may have known the student or has been affected by this tragedy, the LSU Student Health Center offers grief counseling. For information, call 225-578-8774.

William Jenkins
President Emeritus and Acting Chancellor