The Death of Shibai “Victor” Jia

Early this morning Shibai “Victor” Jia, a freshman at the Eastman School of Music, died after a fall from an upper floor in Eastman Commons. He was 19 years old. Foul play is not suspected.

On behalf of all of us at the University of Rochester, let me extend our heartfelt sympathy to Shibai Jai’s family and friends.

Victor had arrived in Rochester on Tuesday. He was from Zhengzho, in China, and had come to Eastman to study the piano.

Jamal Rossi, Executive Associate Dean at Eastman, describes Victor as “a young man and a pianist with tremendous promise.” He had entered Shanghai Conservatory as a percussion major when still in middle school but always loved the piano. Two years ago, he made the choice to devote himself to one instrument.

It is a shocking tragedy when young lives are cut short. The Eastman community is a close one. I know that its members take this loss to heart, even though Victor had been a member of the community for a very short time. The University, too, is a community, and we are all with you in this time of loss.

I again want to urge those particularly affected by this tragedy to avail themselves of counseling services, and I urge all members of the University community to support one another in this difficult time.

When plans for the memorial service are announced, we will also announce the lowering of the University flag in Victor’s memory.