UOG completes review of student's death

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The University of Guam has completed its internal review into the death of 19-year-old A.J. Miralles. The student died last month during a field trip to Anao Point.

"It's certainly the most difficult thing I've had to deal with as president of the university," noted president Dr. Robert Underwood, referring to an incident involving Miralles, who died during a hike to the Yigo area on April 21. "Basically, the field trip was part of a history of Guam class conducted by Dr. Michael Bevacqua."

Immediately after the tragedy, the university launched an internal review to determine what happened.  57 people - including non-UOG students - participated in the hike to Anao Point, with close to 30 people coming forward with statements. The findings indicate that Dr. Bevacqua warned students prior to and during the hike about safety concerns in the area and about the rough and dangerous waters.  

Witnesses also confirm that Miralles walked down to the reef flat on his own volition. Said Underwood, "Based on the statements given by students two or three other students also went out on the lamasa, but the other two students or three went out there and then went back up. When Professor Bevaqua heard about this or witnessed it he immediately took steps to try to reach out to A.J. Miralles. Bby the time he got down to the bottom, A.J. had either been swept up away or voluntarily; it's not clear down in to the water."

According to Underwood, it was clear through the investigation and through the statements from witnesses, that Professor Bevaqua acted in a timely and prudent fashion to help Miralles. However, what was also evident was that Dr. Bevaqua didn't follow proper procedures in obtaining the necessary waivers and variances from students prior to the hike.

"Based on everything that we have discovered through this process of inquiry, it's clear that this was a tragic accident and filing of these waiver forms probably would have nothing to do what actually happened on that day," said Underwood.

Underwood says Dr. Bevaqua has been disciplined for not following the procedure in obtaining the waivers, and the university considers the matter closed.