WSU President Kirk Schulz announced Tuesday in a letter that a university team had reviewed window safety in residence halls, after a student fell from his window last month.

A petition for increased window protection on campus received nearly 12,000 signatures in response to the fall of student Matthew Gray from a second-story window in the Community/Duncan Dunn residence hall Aug. 24.

There was no mention of safety features being added to the hall during renovations in 2012 in a WSU News article on the building. The petition addressed Schulz and Vice President Mary Jo Gonzales, among other administrators.

The letter, titled “Safety of Cougar family remains a top priority,” states that a team of representatives from multiple departments, including Housing, Facilities Services and Risk Management, produced a preliminary report of their findings.

The findings include that all 17 residence halls have operable windows, designed to open so students can escape or be rescued in emergency situations.

The team explored current devices, intended for children, which could prevent falls, although they were concerned this could impede fire safety if they were implemented before research and further consideration.

The next step, the letter states, is to have an independent safety consultant evaluate fall risks across campus and provide recommendations on each risk. WSU is seeking specific recommendations for each type of safety risk due to the different building types around campus.

The letter also states the university will begin an information campaign to increase student awareness of fall and other safety risks, to be developed and carried out by the Division of Student Affairs.

Gray is in critical condition and remains in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, spokesperson Susan Gregg said.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for donations to help his family as he continues to recover. The campaign has raised over $57,000 as of 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, surpassing its original goal of $50,000.

Reporting by Ian Smay