Following the death of Won Jang ’26 — whose body was found in the Connecticut River on July 7 — the College is reemphasizing its water safety policies.
In a joint email to campus sent on July 12, Dartmouth Student Government, Dean of the College Scott Brown and Ledyard Canoe Club sent “important safety reminders” about the use of swimming docks on the Connecticut “in light of the tragic death” of Jang. In addition to sharing swimming and “general waterfront safety” guidelines, the group wrote that there would be “additional signage” by the river as they “continue to discuss these crucial water safety issues.”
In an email statement to The Dartmouth, College spokesperson Morgan Kelly added that the College has communicated with student leaders about other river safety reinforcements — such as “increased lighting, better and more signage and rescue flotation devices.”
“Our location on the Connecticut River means that water safety is of paramount importance, particularly during the summer months,” Kelly wrote.“We are constantly assessing whether, in concert with public safety officials, we have the right level of oversight and precaution to promote safe use of the river.”
According to Kelly, the College also plans to extend its outreach to the community.
“As important as the enhancements are, we expect to host conversations with the community about cultural adjustments, such as how we can enjoy our location and the natural resources that surround us responsibly,” she said.
In addition to the College, the Hanover Police Department has also become “more aware” of water safety measures following Jang’s death, according to Police Captain James Martin. Martin noted that — while Hanover Police has increased its patrols — heightened watch is typical of the summer months.
“Our patrols are making more trips down by the boat docks in the area of the bridge, and we typically do that during the summertime,” Martin said. “As far as being proactive, we’re trying to be out there and patrol those recreational areas more to ensure that we have a visible presence.”
While Hanover Fire Chief Michael Gilbert said the Hanover Fire Department does not “traditionally patrol” for hazards, he said the dive team will undergo additional training in the coming weeks. Gilbert said the dive team trains four times per year, noting that dive trainings would have occurred without Jang’s death. At the same time, Gilbert said Jang’s death reminded the Fire Department that “emergencies happen, and [they] train a little more.”
“In a couple weeks, our dive team will be training again in the river, just getting more proficient with our skills,” Gilbert said.
While neither Hanover Police nor the Fire Department are directly involved with regulating the College’s water safety policies — except for voluntary consultation — Martin said Hanover Police does water safety “outreach specifically to leaders in Greek life.”
“We’ll go out and do some safety briefings on almost a quarterly basis,” Martin explained. “We ask that [Greek life leaders] practice safety in a variety of areas — and one of those areas is water safety. We always stress the importance and the lessons learned from past incidents down by the bridge — jumping off the bridge or swimming.”
Before Jang went to the river, he attended a social gathering with his fraternity, Beta Alpha Omega, The Dartmouth reported. Beta was suspended following his death, and the Hanover Police Department launched a police investigation into potential hazing.
The joint notice sent by DSG, Brown and Ledyard also emphasized that “jumping off the bridge into the river is prohibited at all times.” In September 2000, Hanover passed an ordinance that made it unlawful to jump or dive from the Ledyard Bridge.
According to Gilbert, pieces of concrete and rebar from a previously destroyed bridge remain in the water, posing a safety hazard to divers and swimmers.
“It’s not that the Town is trying to ruin a good time,” he said. “As a diver, I’ve actually got hung up on that rebar before. … It’s not the College making up stories to keep people from jumping on the bridge.”
