Learning and Teaching Strategy update 2008
Name of Service: Interfaith Chaplaincy
Contact name and email address: Reverend Stuart D MacQuarrie (chaplain@gla.ac.uk)
Title of case study: Pastoral Support in Serious Incident/Death of a Student
Keywords: student support, retention, wellbeing,
Description
With a university community of students and staff of some 27,000, serious and tragic
incidents will occur. In these situations a wider circle than those immediately involved will be
affected. Because of the younger age profile of the University, when serious incidents occur
the consequences can be experienced more widely and more deeply. Many of the students
will never have encountered a serious incident or even the death of a friend or relative. This
case study shows a typical response by the University to a tragic incident involving students
that occurred outwith term time.
In summer 2008, a Tuesday morning began with the media carrying a story of two sisters
killed in a road accident. The story progressed through the day and the young people were
named at the end of the day, with the suggestion they were students. A check from the
Chaplain’s home confirmed the sisters were both University of Glasgow students. Within 30
minutes of confirmation the Chaplain was on his way to visit the parents. This entailed a
round trip of some 400 miles. Contact was made with local clergy. The students’ mother
had been taken to another address because of media attention. In the morning a visit was
made to the students’ grandparents and from there to the students’ mother. The support
offered by the University resulted in the Chaplain being asked to conduct the funeral service.
This was agreed and the Chaplain returned three days before the funeral in order for
preparation and more detailed arrangements.
The Depute Director of Corporate
Communications accompanied the Chaplain in order to manage the media. Letters of
condolence were sent by the Principal to each parent. The funeral was conducted with the
emphasis on the girls’ lives. This was followed up by a Memorial gathering in the Chapel in
October 2008. Family, friends, students and staff met in the Chapel to share stories of the
sisters, while their music was played over the sound system with photographs shown on a
big screen. Although unusual for a Chapel, this approach reinforced the University of
Glasgow’s commitment as a caring institution and a place where students and staff matter as
people.
Support in this case came through the students’ Advisers of Studies, Registry, Chaplaincy,
the Principal and Corporate Communications.
Conclusion
The benefits are largely anecdotal of people expressing their appreciation of the University of
Glasgow. A number of these include students. There are thank you cards and emails. This
instance reflects how our policy has changed from a cumbersome institutional approach to
become people and especially student centred. It shows a rich learning environment
supported not only by outcomes but by values. The details outlined in this example would be
the University’s standard response to this type of event.