Student falls from sixth floor of Birnkrant

A student sustained injuries after falling from the sixth floor of Birnkrant Residential College early Monday morning, according to Department of Public Safety Capt. David Carlisle.

In an e-mail sent to some Birnkrant residents, the student was identified as Jackson Roddy, a freshman majoring in accounting.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics and the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the scene at about 6 a.m.

DPS officers were on the scene where freshman Jackson Roddy fell Monday morning in front of Birnkrant Residential College. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the cause. - Dan Doperalski | Daily Trojan

Roddy was transferred to California Hospital, and doctors have been working to stabilize him and assess his injuries, according to Vice President for Student Affairs Michael L. Jackson.

“Right now, what everyone is focusing on is his health and his recovery,” Jackson said, adding that Roddy’s parents are with their son.

The cause of the fall is still being investigated by LAPD, Carlisle said, though a university statement said foul play is not suspected.

Roddy is pledging Sigma Nu fraternity. Brian Huefner, the president of Sigma Nu, said he is working to ensure other fraternity members receive counseling and support.

“The first piece of action was to make sure everyone was aware,” Huefner said. “We’re staying by each other. Everyone’s really shooken up.”

The university encourages all students to seek counseling if needed and said it is reaching out to those who might have been affected by the incident. Four counselors have been designated specifically to the Birnkrant dorm, the statement said.

“We’ve reached out to his roommate and other students in Birnkrant,” Jackson said.

Birnkrant is an eight-story building with seven floors of student housing primarily for freshmen students.

Students can contact Student Affairs at (213) 740-2421 or the USC Student Counseling Services at (213) 740-7711.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to the student and his family,” Jackson said in the university statement.

Sigma Nu will host a prayer vigil for Roddy at 9:30 p.m. in front of the fraternity’s house on The Row.