Adjusting to new living arrangements can be difficult, but can be even harsher for college students. Living with people of different ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, perspectives, lifestyles, and personalities can be a challenge for many.
Most dorm arrangements are same sex and are based on grade or age similarities. This is to reduce the amount of anxiety and extra issues that can take place in a new living arrangement. However, we all know that this is not a complete resolution for all disagreements and disputes.
In fact, three weeks into the new dorm arrangements Bowie State University students and roommates 19 year-old Alexis Simpson and 18 year-old Dominique Frazier seem had trouble adjusting to one another. Small disputes over music being played in the dorm between Alexis and Dominique were reported to Campus Officials, but the notification process stopped there. A dispute over someone playing music can be considered minor, common, and not much to worry about. That is until a minor disagreement becomes threatening and in some cases deadly.
In the case of Miss Simpson and Miss Frazier the same common music disagreement became deadly. During an argument between the two roommates, Alexis Simpson reportedly stabbed Dominique Frazier in the neck with a pair of scissors. As Frazier bled out, Simpson left in panic. Frazier was pronounced dead and Simpson turned herself in to Georgia authorities. The 19 year-old is now awaiting trial for First Degree Murder as the Family of 18 year-old Dominique Frazier grieves the unexpected death. It is obvious that none of the previous disputes between the roommates were taken seriously enough to notify authorities.
Two young lives have been put to waste due to a minor incident not being taken seriously enough. This all too common in our communities and leaves a lingering question: Should authorities be notified about every ”minor” dispute that takes place in hopes of preventing incidents similar to Bowie State University?
