College junior dies after leap from window

College junior Matthew Bronstein took his life yesterday morning, becoming the second University student in just over two weeks to commit suicide. The 20-year-old from the Virgin Islands jumped from his dormitory room on the 14th floor of High Rise East and moments later when an off-duty University Police officer found him, there were no visible signs of life, according to police reports. Bronstein was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital by the Philadelphia Fire & Safety Department, and was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m., just seven minutes after he arrived, according to a spokesperson from Hahnemann. University Police officers, accompanied by Residential Living staff members, canvassed rooms on the southeast corner of the first through 21st floors of the High Rise for several hours, trying to identify the victim by asking residents to account for their roommates, Lieutenant Jerry Leddy said. According to Leddy, the incident occurred at around 6:35 a.m., when he and Officer Dave McDonald were just about to start their day. The officers were alerted by University Physical Plant employees working at Class of 1920 Commons. McDonald ran toward the south side of High Rise East, where he discovered the body on the grassy hill beside the brick patio. Leddy ran to University Police headquarters for assistance. Friends and roommates contacted last night declined to comment about Bronstein or his death, and details about Bronstein's life on campus were not available. Last month, College senior Steven Ochs, former editorial page editor of The Daily Pennsylvanian, jumped to his death from a bridge in Pittsburgh. University Life officials are coordinating counselling services on campus to reach out to students who may have been affected by the two deaths. Associate Vice Provost for Student Life Larry Moneta said yesterday that a coordinated counseling effort has been put in place to help students deal with their emotions. "Our message in general is that part of being healthy is having periods of distress and seeking help," Moneta said. "It does not matter what door you walk into -- Student Health or Counseling Service -- you will get to the right place." Moneta said the University is reaching out to people in a variety of ways. He said that individuals who knew Bronstein personally are being contacted, and that general counseling sessions were held last night in High Rise East. Moneta said that he and members of the various counseling staffs on campus were on call last night for assistance. And on Monday night, Residential Living, University Counseling Service and Student Health will co-sponsor a group meeting for High Rise East residents only, according to Ilene Rosenstein, director of University Counseling Service. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. "All of the units that can be helpful have come together to find as quick a response as possible," Moneta said.

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