Denpasar. Udayana University in Bali said it will impose disciplinary action on several students allegedly involved in bullying a fellow student, identified as Timothy Anugerah Saputra, who died after falling from a campus building earlier this week.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at around 9 a.m. local time when the seventh-semester sociology student reportedly fell from the second floor of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) building in Denpasar. Witnesses said Timothy was found lying near the building’s main entrance.

According to Dewi Pascarini, head of Udayana University’s Public Relations Unit, the student was initially conscious and rushed to the hospital but later died around 1 p.m.

“The victim was a high-achieving student with a GPA above 3.5. However, according to the family, he had a record of psychological counseling since high school, which was discontinued during his university years,” Dewi said.

In an official statement on Saturday, the university strongly condemned any form of harassment, verbal abuse, or insensitive behavior, both on campus and online, calling such actions “contrary to the values of higher education and academic ethics.”

“Udayana University firmly rejects all expressions, comments, or actions that lack empathy, constitute bullying, or involve verbal or psychological violence, whether in real life or the digital space,” the statement read.

The university said it would take firm measures against those found responsible, while also strengthening education on responsible communication and social media ethics among students.

“Any form of violence, bullying, or behavior that undermines the dignity of the academic community will be handled according to university regulations,” the statement continued. “The university will not hesitate to impose strict sanctions based on the findings of the internal task force and relevant authorities.”

As an initial step, Udayana said students under investigation will receive a failing grade in all courses for the current semester.

The investigation will follow Ministerial Regulation No. 55/2024 on the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education Institutions, and will be conducted privately by the university’s task force.

The statement also clarified that the controversial online conversations circulating on social media occurred after Timothy’s death.

“Based on a coordination meeting between the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), the Student Representative Council, and the sociology student association, it has been confirmed that the social media exchanges took place after the incident, not before,” the university said.

Udayana University expressed deep condolences to Timothy’s family and the campus community.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our best students. The university extends its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family and all members of the academic community,” it said.

“The campus must remain a safe and empathetic environment, free from all forms of violence. Any act that violates human dignity and academic honor will be dealt with firmly.”

Following the case’s emergence, six students involved in the online bullying admitted their wrongdoing and issued public apologies on social media.

Editor's note: If you have suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the suicide prevention hotline by the Health Ministry and Marzoeki Mahdi at www.healing119.id or call 119 (extension 8). You may also reach out to the Whatsapp number that is available on the website.

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