More than a week after a Dartmouth student was found dead in Barcelona, Spain, while participating in a study abroad program run by Portland State, authorities and officials from the two universities still have not determined the cause of his death.
More than a week after a Dartmouth student was found dead in Barcelona, Spain, while participating in a study abroad program run by Portland State, authorities and officials from the two universities still have not determined the cause of his death.
In an email response, director of media relations for Dartmouth College Justin Anderson said that the Dartmouth community is “devastated” by the death of junior Crispin Scott, who was part of a class of 81 students from several institutions, including Portland State, who participated in the Academy of Liberal and Beaux-Arts this year.
Scott was originally from Seattle. He was studying mathematics at Dartmouth College.
Charles Grant, a PSU economics professor and the director of the ALBA program, said that in the nearly 25 years of the program’s existence, this is the first major incident.
According to Grant, Scott was found dead on Jan. 7 in a Barcelona apartment, which was not a PSU-affiliated residence. On the night of Jan. 6, Scott was out with friends; when he did not show up for the first orientation session—around noon the next day—Grant said that the university contacted the police. Scott’s body was found later that afternoon.
There were no signs of injury or foul play, according to Spanish authorities. Aside from that, very little is known about Scott’s death, and the case is currently under investigation.
In a message sent to the Dartmouth community, Dean Charlotte Johnson announced that a university official was sent to Barcelona on Jan. 9 to provide support for the remaining students.
The ALBA program provides student with the option of either “homestay” or shared-apartment living arrangements, according to Grant. Students take courses in economics, political science and Spanish language while living for 10 weeks in Barcelona. The majority of students came from institutions other than PSU.
“All of the institutions involved have been deeply saddened by what has happened, and have expressed their sorrow and sympathy, although the unimaginable devastation to the family will never be erased,” Grant said.
