Less than 3 years ago, the Hausman family suffered an unspeakable tragedy.
Three months after graduating from Staples High School, Corey — the youngest boy — died from what began as a skateboarding accident at the University of Colorado.
The Hausmans’ life changed forever. Now — thanks in large part to Corey’s mom Nanette — other lives may not change in that tragic way.
Aimee Monroy Smith writes:
This past legislative session, Nanette Hausman spearheaded an effort to make colleges and universities safer, by ensuring that serious safety incidents are included as part of their safety reports.
Corey Hausman (center) with Lucas (left) and Casey (right): “The Brothers.”
This effort required the arduous process of finding legislators to sponsor a bill (which Annette did with our 2 state senators, Will Haskell and Tony Hwang). and advocating for it throughout committee hearings and chamber votes.
Every year, many good bills are raised but never get through the process. They either die in committee, or on a chamber calendar.
Nanette’s advocacy not only brought the bill to a floor vote on the last day of this session; she also galvanized the support of Jason Rojas, the majority leader and likely the most sought after individual on that hectic last day.
Nanette’s advocacy and compassion are remarkable. As someone who has worked in government relations for 20 years, I am inspired by her efforts. They serve as an important reminder about the power of a parent’s story.
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email dwoog@optonline.net. Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell.)
Please explain what skateboarding has to do with the safety of the school? What next a meteor strikes some one and the university is responsible to report it? Is self accountability dead?
Thank you for the opportunity to point out why this legislation (to expand transparency around college safety through reporting) is so important. I whole-heartedly agree with your point about the need for personal responsibility. A primary goal from day one has been to provide college accident and death statistics so the public is more informed about what can and does happen when kids move away to college. Once available, this information can be used to fortify personal responsibility.
This legislation also fortifies the institutional responsibility of our colleges by accounting for physical safety in the same way they do for crime and fire safety. The pathway where Corey fell is used for transportation (walkers, boarders, cyclists) to cross a very large and sprawling college campus.
The steep pathway was a known problematic area (as documented by his college after the accident) and a commitment was made to consider improvements making it safer for future students. Nearly three years after the accident, the pathway remains unchanged, apparently due to limited funding. An accident which evolved into a loss of life, my youngest son’s life, was basically swept under the rug and not counted as a safety incident. Expanding public safety reporting will lead to increased accountability and helps prioritize the investment in all aspects of college safety, something our college communities, young adults and their families deserve.
I cannot believe how callous this remark is by Fred Roberts. On a positive note, thank you Nanette for the work that you have done to prevent other families from experiencing a tragic loss such as yours.
Nanette turned a tragedy into an action, and is spearheading change. She is my hero!
Thank you Cindy for helping this legislative newbie succeed and encouraging the College911.net™ every step of the way!
My most sincere thanks to Aimee for recognizing our monumental legislative success. Our legislators and the Lieutenant Governor have helped to make a permanent impact and we anxiously await Governor Lamont’s signing the bill into law. This bill will expand college safety. It has also given Corey’s life a sustaining value well beyond his 18 years and I hope other lives will not change in such a tragic way.
The College911.net team includes a local group of outstanding young adult interns, as well as, other committed volunteers (see Team Page of website).Their combined efforts helped the legislation succeed and will encourage families to add medical emergency care to their college checklist (see website home page). The CGA and UCONN have exhibited exceptional leadership in expanding College Safety, let their actions serve as an inspiration to make all colleges safer and save lives. We will need tremendous public support (connect to help at Info@college911.net) in order to succeed further by enacting similar legislation at the Federal level.
I am impressed with the uniqueness of each Unsung Hero story. Love that there is a platform to recognize others. To learn how one can turn loss and tragedy into action to educate and protect others is powerful. A beautiful lesson for each of us to learn as we possess the capacity to influence others lives in such positive ways. Taking on legislation and securing support is no small feat! Congratulations Nanette and College911.net for opening others eyes to paths to improvements.