1Directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the
2issue of student suicide in higher education, to establish an
3advisory committee to conduct a thorough and comprehensive
4analysis of the underlying causes of student suicide and to
5report to the Senate with its findings and recommendations.

6WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is home to some of the finest
7higher education institutions in the world; and

8WHEREAS, Each year thousands of young men and women
9matriculate at these colleges and universities to pursue a
10higher education degree to prepare them for a future career; and

11WHEREAS, Many of the young men and women who enroll in an
12institution of higher education will face numerous issues, both
13academic and nonacademic, associated with obtaining a college,
14graduate or professional degree; and

15WHEREAS, Mental health issues often manifest themselves
16during an individual's late teens and early twenties; and

17WHEREAS, Academic pressures coupled with the pressure of
18adapting to new surroundings, schedules, activities and
19responsibilities can lead to increased stress and anxiety among

1students; and

2WHEREAS, Increased stress among college students often leads
3to depression, substance abuse or other behaviors and conditions
4that may raise the risk of suicide, attempted suicide or
5suicidal thoughts among students; and

6WHEREAS, The stigma associated with seeking or receiving
7mental health counseling or services often deters students from
8communicating their thoughts and feelings and seeking
9professional help; and

10WHEREAS, According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center,
11suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-age
12students accounting for approximately 1,100 deaths per year on
13college campuses; and

14WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Youth Suicide
15Prevention Initiative, suicide is the third leading cause of
16death for young people 15 to 24 years of age; and

17WHEREAS, Available data suggest that suicide occurs at a rate
18between 6.5 and 7.5 per 100,000 college students; and

19WHEREAS, In 2011, the American College Health Association-
20National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA), a nationwide
21assessment of college students at two-year and four-year
22institutions, found that approximately 30% of students reported
23being "so depressed that it was difficult to function" in the
24prior year. That same 2011 survey found that approximately 6% of
25college students reported seriously considering suicide and 1%
26reported attempting suicide in the prior year; and

27WHEREAS, Student suicide unfortunately has touched a number
28of college and university campuses in this Commonwealth in the
29last few years; and

30WHEREAS, The Senate recognizes the seriousness of the issue

1of suicide among college, graduate and professional students in
2this Commonwealth and wishes to convene an advisory committee to
3study the issue; therefore be it

4RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government
5Commission to establish an advisory committee of 25 members
6consisting of higher education officials, public officials and
7experts on the issue of student suicide in higher education. The
8committee is balanced so that it encompasses a wide range of
9backgrounds and viewpoints; and be it further

10RESOLVED, That the advisory committee contain the following
11individuals:

12(1) The President of The Pennsylvania State University
13or his designee. The designee may be an officer or faculty
14member of the university or an employee of the university,
15who provides services to students through a university
16counseling center, university health center or through
17university residency and housing programs.

18(2) The President of the University of Pittsburgh or his
19designee. The designee may be an officer or faculty member of
20the university or an employee of the university, who provides
21services to students through a university counseling center,
22university health center or through university residency and
23housing programs.

24(3) The President of Temple University or his designee.
25The designee may be an officer or faculty member of the
26university or an employee of the university, who provides
27services to students through a university counseling center,
28university health center or through university residency and
29housing programs.

30(4) The President of Lincoln University or his designee.

1The designee may be an officer or faculty member of the
2university or an employee of the university, who provides
3services to students through a university counseling center,
4university health center or through university residency and
5housing programs.

6(5) The Chancellor of the State System of Higher
7Education or his designee. The designee may be an officer of
8the State System of Higher Education, a president, officer or
9faculty member of a university within the State System of
10Higher Education or an employee of a university within the
11State System of Higher Education, who provides services to
12students through a university counseling center, university
13health center or through university residency and housing
14programs.

15(6) Two representatives, or their designees, of private
16institutions of higher education within this Commonwealth
17selected by the Joint State Government Commission upon the
18recommendation of the Association of Independent Colleges and
19Universities of Pennsylvania. Designees may be an officer or
20faculty member of the university or an employee of the
21university, who provides services to students through a
22university counseling center, university health center or
23through university residency and housing programs.

24(7) An individual representing the community colleges of
25this Commonwealth selected by the Joint State Government
26Commission upon the recommendation of the Pennsylvania
27Commission for Community Colleges.

28(8) Three students enrolled in good standing at
29institutions of higher education within this Commonwealth
30selected by the Joint State Government Commission. One

1student shall be enrolled at a State-related institution, one
2shall be enrolled at a university within the State System of
3Higher Education and one student shall be enrolled in an
4independent college or university within this Commonwealth.

5(9) The Secretary of Health, or his designee.

6(10) The Secretary of Education, or her designee.

7(11)  An individual representing the Department of Public
8Welfare's Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
9Services, selected by the Secretary of Public Welfare.

10(12) Eleven members of the public who are experts on the
11issue of suicide, physical, behavioral or mental health, or
12who are involved in any other profession relevant to the
13issue of student suicide. Of the 11 members, nine shall be
14selected by the Joint State Government Commission, one shall
15be selected by the President pro tempore of the Senate and
16one shall be selected by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

17and be it further

18RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
19with the advisory committee, conduct a thorough and
20comprehensive analysis of student suicide in higher education,
21including graduate and professional schools, the issues set
22forth in this resolution and other related issues as determined
23by the commission; and be it further

24RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
25with the advisory committee, review the following to identify
26the best practices to address the issue of student suicide, its
27causes and effective suicide prevention strategies and to
28develop recommendations best suited for institutions of higher
29education in this Commonwealth:

30(1) Proposals and policies of other states.

1(2) Policies currently in place at institutions of
2higher education in this Commonwealth and other states.

3(3) Other resources on the issue of student suicide;

4and be it further

5RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission
6establish a process by which interested members of the public
7can make suggestions and have input; and be it further

8RESOLVED, That the final report include recommendations to
9implement necessary changes in State statutes, practices,
10policies and procedures relating to student suicide, including
11measures to reduce the incidences of student suicide, and to
12develop awareness, education and other strategies to address
13issues relating to student suicide in higher education; and be
14it further

15RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
16report to the Senate with its findings and recommendations not
17later than December 31, 2014.