Updates

Drug overdose killed sophomore

The Connecticut medical examiner’s office said in February that the death of Yale sophomore Andre Narcisse ’12 was an accident, the result of “multiple drug toxicity.” Narcisse, who was 19, was found unconscious in his room in Branford College on the morning of November 1. (See “Cause unknown in student's death,” January/February 2010.) The medical examiner’s office did not identify the drugs involved or report any further details.

University budget to see more cuts

As Yale begins to feel more of the effect of the recession in its endowment payout, President Richard Levin ’72MPHIL, ’74PHD announced in January that there will be further cuts in spending in 2010–11. (See “Yale Tightens Its Belt Another Notch,” November/December 2009.) The new measures include a freeze on salaries for officers and other top staff members, a reduction in the number of graduate students, a decrease in paid vacation time for some employees, and a decree that thermostats stay at 68 degrees in the winter and 75 in the summer. These actions and others will save $50 million, but Levin said another $100 million in savings must still be found and another round of staff layoffs will be necessary.

Suspect in Annie Le murder pleads not guilty

On January 26, Yale lab technician Raymond Clark pleaded not guilty to charges that he murdered graduate student Annie Le ’13PhD. (See “The Death of Annie Le,” November/December 2009.) In addition to the charge of murder, prosecutors have added a second charge of felony murder, which under Connecticut law is a killing committed during the commission or attempted commission of another felony, including robbery, kidnapping, or sexual assault. Unlike a murder charge, a felony murder charge does not require that the prosecution prove intent to kill.