The University of Oregon began giving out emergency antibiotics at 7 p.m. to ward off bacterial meningococcemia, a meningitis-causing bacteria, to residents of Barnhart, according to UO spokeswoman Julie Brown.

The antibiotics follow the death of acrobatics and tumbling athlete Lauren Jones, who lived in Barnhart. Though Brown could not confirm whether Jones had actually died from bacterial meningococcemia, the UO Health Center staff is offering the medication as a precaution.

“This is a preventive step,” said Brown. “We have reached out to residents of Barnhart as well as student athletes about the prophylactic medication.”

Freshman Benjamin Gonzalez was one of the many students waiting in line for antibiotic treatment on Tuesday night. He heard about the emergency antibiotics when he went downstairs for dinner and saw a crowd standing in the lobby as they waited for the antibiotics.

“They were all freaking out,” Gonzalez said. “They told me something bad had happened.”

Gonzalez learned about Jones’ death through an email sent to each Barnhart resident.

Brown said that antibiotics would be made available to student athletes sometime tomorrow.

Jason Davis, a spokesperson for Lane County Public Health, said that if Jones’ cause of death is confirmed as the result of meningococcemia, the county will begin a full analysis of everyone she came into contact with.