"Roommate suicide" rule: real or urban legend?

College Life
1

<p>Is it true that if your roommate commits suicide then his/her fellow dorm-room residents pass all their classes for the rest of the semester because of the trauma involved?</p>

<p>Not threatening suicide here myself; nor do I actually have any roommates (still commuting to school); actually, I saw Big Man on Campus for the first time recently (yeah, it's about 10 or so years old, but I'm a late bloomer with these "newer" flicks), and was wondering if this is true, or just an urban legend, and if it is true, whether or not it's across the board.</p>

<p>I don't mean to drum up any bad memories for those who have gone through this horrible experience, but I was just curious whether or not it's actually a written clause in living agreements or academic policy or something, or an unspoken "common sense" rule (although it seems everything has to be in black-and-white today).</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>It may differ by school, but the Michigan Daily debunked the myth for the University of Michigan at least.</p>

<p>[The</a> Michigan Daily](<a href=“http://www.michigandaily.com/content/michigan-myth-does-death-roommate-mean-all-you]The”>http://www.michigandaily.com/content/michigan-myth-does-death-roommate-mean-all-you)</p>

3

<p>[snopes.com:</a> Suicide 4.0 Grade](<a href=“http://www.snopes.com/college/admin/suicide.asp]snopes.com:”>Does a Student Whose Roommate Commits Suicide Receive a 4.0 GPA? | Snopes.com)</p>

4

<p>Well my roommate attempted suicide…I think I should have gotten extra credit at the very least, but nope.</p>

5

<p>It’s completely false. My college roommate committed suicide our freshman year. Getting automatic A’s is a myth and frankly, once you’ve been through an experience like that, your grades feel a little irrelevant compared to the shock and emotional trauma.</p>

6

<p>Why would they admit to or do this when a roommate is a unique position to tempt the other to off themself? I’m sure it would suck terribly if the roommates were close, but there are too many who would actually try to drive their roommate to this.</p>

7

<p>Urban legend.</p>

<p>However, profs may well give someone who is going through a difficult patch (death in the family etc.) somewhat of an easier time by giving extensions or other support. Or they may not. ;)</p>

8

<p>Friend’s roommate, sadly, committed suicide in her first year and that was definitely not the case.</p>