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Posted on 10/23/2001 1:21:39 PM PDT by DCBryan1

An eerie mood lingered around Pomfret Hall early Tuesday morning as people learned of a fellow student's death. Stunned friends embraced each other as tears streamed down their faces.

UA freshman Alexander W. Gilbert, 18, of Little Rock, accidentally fell from a ledge on the fifth floor of the B-Wing of Pomfret Hall late Monday night after he went outside to smoke with friends, police said early Tuesday morning. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:20 a.m. Tuesday by the Washington County assistant coroner.

The scene Tuesday morning was almost identical to the reactions students had in the Arkansas Union just about a month ago when they heard about the World Trade Center. The difference this time is the tragedy is more personal, closer to home. For some students, the tragedy happened at what they call their home.

Police are still investigating all aspects of Gilbert's fall, UAPD Lt. Gary Crain said. There are no indications that alcohol, drugs or foul play were involved, he said. Brian O. Hemphill, associate vice chancellor and dean of students, received a call from UA officials and arrived on the scene at about 12:30 a.m. Hemphill notified Gilbert's parents of their son's death, he said.

"It's a very sad day for us; we've lost a very special person in our community," Hemphill said.

As the impact of the accident became realized Tuesday morning, University Housing staff ushered stunned students into the Pomfret Great Room where they were told the counselors in residence and Counseling and Psychological Services were and would be available for the rest of the week.

"We are encouraging anyone who is feeling some connection to this to reach out and talk to the counselors in residence or CAPS," Hemphill said.

Most of the students went back into the residence hall at the request of University Housing staff, but a few remained on the lawn waiting for the latest information.

Rumors circulated among students in and out of the building as they tried to piece together the information they had heard.

Students said standing outside the building said smoking on the ledge was a tradition on the fifth floor. University officials did not officially comment on the tragedy until 3 a.m.

"There is obviously a policy against students being on ledges and removing screens," said Jim Conneely, assistant vice chancellor for Student Affairs. [there is also a ban on smoking in dorms]

Police received a 911 emergency call at 11:38 p.m., according to a UA news release. Emergency medical personnel, police and university officials somberly gathered throughout the early hours around the concrete patio where Gilbert fell to his death.

A few hours later a small number of students solemnly remained on the sidewalk a short distance from the patio where Gilbert died.

The body was taken to the state crime lab in Little Rock for an autopsy, Crain said.

Gilbert was the son of Lugene and Steven Woods of Little Rock. He had attended Robinson High School in Little Rock and was a student in the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Hemphill said he would have another conversation with family Tuesday afternoon and would release memorial service details later.

"What we are trying to do is be very responsive to the community's needs," Hemphill said. "There are several students who will be impacted and we want to be there for them."

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