Following the death of 18-year-old University of Wyoming student Dawson Fantin in late September, the university’s delayed public acknowledgment of his passing has stirred controversy, Wyo File reports.
Administrators waited 20 days to notify the campus community, ultimately citing a reevaluation of national guidelines on suicide response as the reason for the delay. This approach has led some family members and friends to question the university’s communication strategy.
Fantin, a freshman from Rock Springs and a recent high school graduate, passed away in his dorm room on September 28, in what is reported as an apparent suicide pending further investigation. The funeral was held in Rock Springs, where mourners gathered to honor his life and contributions to his community. Known for his openness about his mental health struggles, Dawson was remembered as a spirited young man who brightened spaces with humor, empathy, and commitment to mental health advocacy.
The delayed campus-wide notification led to mixed reactions, with some close to Fantin, including friends and family, expressing frustration and concern. Dawson’s parents, Debra and Paul Fantin, noted that Dawson’s friends had to personally inform their professors and other peers about his passing, adding a burden of grief. Debra and Paul were also surprised to find the university attributed the delay to considerations for family wishes, as the family indicated that they had not been consulted.
Kim Chestnut, UW’s Vice President of Student Affairs, explained that the university initially followed older national recommendations suggesting limited public announcements of suicides to prevent the potential of contagion. Following a review by the new Director of the University Counseling Center, Megan Belville, who considered the current influence of social media on information spread, UW decided to send a notification on October 18.
However, family members and some mental health advocates have pointed out that national guidelines, such as those from the Higher Education Mental Health Alliance, emphasize the importance of timely communication following student suicides to limit rumors and misinformation. University officials now say that in future cases, they plan to notify the campus more promptly while refraining from mentioning specific causes of death.
Close friends of Fantin expressed disappointment at the lack of a physical memorial on campus, which they feel would provide a meaningful way to honor him. Additionally, UW alumna Kali Lenhart, Fantin’s cousin, voiced a desire for the university to reflect on its approach and improve its response for future situations. She emphasized the importance of procedural review, likening the need for system improvements to “lining up slices of Swiss cheese” to prevent gaps that could lead to misunderstandings and pain for the campus community.
