Junior found dead off campus Wednesday

Junior Ruofan Xia, 21, died Wednesday off campus, said Mark Land, associate vice president of University communications.

Specific details have not yet been released, but Dean of Students Harold “Pete” Goldsmith said Counseling and Psychological Services and Residential Programs and Services staff spoke to residents who lived with Xia in Collins LLC Greene 3 Wednesday night.

“Anytime something like this happens at the University, this is devastating, especially for the friends and family of the student,” Land said. “We’re making services available.”

Xia was found at the Travelodge, 2615 E. Third St., near the intersection of East Third Street and College Mall Road, according to Bloomington police reports.

Junior Susan Savariar and IU-Purdue University Indianapolis junior Sarah Masick were friends with Xia at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities. Both described Xia as humble, polite and incredibly intelligent.

“I used to just love to listen to him talk about his ideas,” Masick said.

Masick became close with Xia. They and another student at the Academy ate lunches together, went to school dances and spent time on the phone.

“He just loved to laugh,” Masick said. “I think that’s why we became friends. He loved magic tricks.”

Both Savariar and Masick said they lost touch with Xia after their freshman year
of college.

Savariar said he became somewhat withdrawn, and that the Academy community has bonded together to mourn and honor Xia in the hours since his death.

“The Academy community is very small,” Savariar said. “It’s very sad. I think he would be happy to know how many people care about him.”

IU Student Association Chief of Communications Nikki Suseck expressed sympathy for the family and friends of Xia on behalf of IUSA.

“IUSA is deeply saddened to hear the news about the death of our fellow Hoosier Ruofan Xia,” Suseck said in a statement. “Our condolences are with his family and friends. We hope students seeking counseling or physiological help will contact CAPS, who will be available during walk-in hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. IUSA shares our thoughts and prayers with the entire student body and his family.”

The normal CAPS charges for students are suspended for Collins students dealing with the student death.

The crisis line is available after hours at 812-855-5711.