URBANA — The University of Illinois makes national rankings as a party school.
Sometimes the drinking culture turns dangerous. U of I freshman Akul Dhawan died from hypothermia last year after drinking and becoming separated from his friends. When IPM News first spoke to his parents, they blamed campus police for failing to find him in time.
A year later, Ish and Ritu Dhawan are hoping some good will come from their son’s death.
HAYS: Are there any memories or moments with Akul that you’ve been cherishing this year?
DHAWAN: He went with me to Japan during his senior year spring break. That was our gift to him, now that he’s pretty much done with his high school. A lot of memories. We are going to Japan this spring break, because only the two of us went, but now we’re all going. My wife really wanted to go, because she feels like she missed out on that trip, and he really loved Japan, so we’re trying to memorialize, trying to relive his memories. And that’s what we’ve been trying to do.
HAYS: When we last spoke, you had filed a complaint against the University of Illinois Police department. The police officer who did not find your son that night when he was reported missing resigned in October. How do you feel about that?
DHAWAN: We did not know a lot of those details. We have been all trying to look forward, because no matter what we do and what we think, we’re not bringing him back. One of the things our therapist tells us is how can you channel your grief, your energy into something good that could A) help other kids and B) could start something in his memory. She said that might be a better option, and you will feel solace and happiness in that. My challenge is, Emily, to be honest with you, I cannot continue a rational conversation with people, because I break down.
HAYS: U of I says they are doing more alcohol enforcement during cold weather events now, and giving out more information on winter clothing and safety. The school says it’s doing more for first year orientation activities on medical amnesty, SafeWalks and cold weather. Does that sound like the kind of change that you were hoping the university would do?
DHAWAN: I’m really glad to hear that, because I was not aware of any of this. It’s very important. How tragic it is that a young kid can end up in a situation right in the middle of the campus. It’s just mind boggling. Every night I just think about it, and I just cannot believe this has happened. And then there are some similarities, commonalities [in other cases]. And the most important thing is alcohol, which played a huge role in this. So one of the things we are thinking is how can we make parents and students and legislators aware of the huge risk alcohol has on kids, especially freshmen. He was so young, absolutely had no awareness. A young kid got away from home for the first time, trying to just have fun, little that we knew. These orientations, these trainings are so important. I look across the board, through all universities. There have been so many cases. There is so much room to do more to help educate, train and generate awareness of the dangers. I mean, hypothermia. He had so many clothes, everything you can think of, and everything just came back to us in big boxes. How can that be possible?
HAYS: Thank you so much for talking with me. Is there anything else that you want to say?
DHAWAN: No, I just want to thank you, Emily, for reaching out. The message I want to share is a positive message: what can we do to honor our son?