The University of Glasgow have expressed their apologies for the “tragic error” which cost a student who has since died by suicide his Honours degree.
Ethan Brown, who studied Geography at the University, ended his life on the 13th December 2024, the day he should have graduated on. Brown was told by the University that his grades were too low for him to graduate with Honours and believed this at the time of his death. However following calls from Ethan’s mother Tracy Scott after Ethan’s death, an internal investigation was conducted which revealed that the decision not to award him a grade which meant he did not meet the Honours threshold was a mistake, and that Ethan should have graduated with a 2:1 Honours degree.
Brown had submitted two extension requests via Good Cause claims in December of 2023 and February of 2024 in which he had disclosed deteriorating mental health. The University’s internal report revealed no contact was made with Ethan to offer wellbeing support subsequent to these disclosures. The Good Cause policy has since been replaced with an Extenuating Circumstances policy which makes a direct link between requests for extensions and wellbeing support.
Scott described her son Ethan as “a happy, loving boy known for his cheek and sense of humour”. In his 6th year High School yearbook, he answered the question “where do you see yourself in ten years” with “still begging Glasgow University to accept me”. Ethan died in his bedroom on the day his graduation ceremony would have been on, and was found early that morning by his mother.
A spokesperson for the University said in a public statement on the 30th September: “we are profoundly sorry that this terrible event occurred and understand the deep distress it has caused Ethan’s family.” The spokesperson also said the University is “confident that the error in relation to Ethan’s marks was an isolated one and that no other students have been affected.” However the internal report revealed that the error which led to Ethan’s incorrect grade was “a systemic problem rather than one made by an individual” and that it “may not be confined to Geography and Earth Sciences”.
Both ex-Principal Anton Muscatelli and the current Principal Andy Schofield have offered to meet with Ethan’s family on the condition that previous Rector and the family’s lawyer Aamer Anwar is not present.
The Crown Office has confirmed the circumstances of Ethan’s death “are being re-examined in light of new information”.
Image credit: Simona Lomangino
