There are no anti-hazing laws in Michigan, so it is impossible to prove there is criminal misconduct in these situations," Oates said. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Phat Nguyen died from acute alcohol consumption after attending off-campus party in East Lansing, Michigan, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Since 1872, Michigan State Universitys Fraternity and Sorority Community has been a thriving part of campus life. We will get through it.". "The question becomes whether or not this is hazing, or and this is where I am not minimizing anything was this drinking at a college party, which occurs right, wrong, or indifferent all day, every day throughout the county," Morley said. ]; The three individuals had thrown up over themselves and the witnesses could see that they had urinated on themselves as well. To visit the website, please go to the, Counseling and Psychiatric Services website, https://ossa.msu.edu/hazing-information-and-resources. Pi Alpha Phi's national board confirmed to the State Journal in an email that its "Michigan State University chapter has been placed under interim suspension pending investigation upon the death of a student member last weekend.". Now, more than seven months later, he's back home in Minnesota with his family. Witnesses recount what happened at Pi Alpha Phi fraternity party where MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services counselors are moving to Akers Hall, Brody Square and Shaw Hall private dining rooms to provide services. While the pledge on the left mattress was left alone, a group of girls were surrounding the mattresses on the right side taking videos and getting really up close" in the faces of the unconscious pledges. Prosecutors have charged one fraternity member with two misdemeanors for supplying alcohol to a minor. His mom is now his full-time caregiver and their family is focused on celebrating any day-by-day progress. (function(a){if(/(android|bb\d+|meego).+mobile|avantgo|bada\/|blackberry|blazer|compal|elaine|fennec|hiptop|iemobile|ip(hone|od)|iris|kindle|lge |maemo|midp|mmp|mobile.+firefox|netfront|opera m(ob|in)i|palm( os)?|phone|p(ixi|re)\/|plucker|pocket|psp|series(4|6)0|symbian|treo|up\. The "Greeks Take the Lead" Program serves to: MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services counselors are moving to Akers Hall, Brody Square and Shaw Hall private dining rooms to provide services. Coontz said Pham was permanently dismissed from the university on the last day of his class of his senior year, when he was due to complete his final credit hours for graduation. Phat Nguyen and Andrew Nguyen are not related. The regulations relating to protection of individuals apply without reference to where the activity occurs when the alleged misconduct involves hazing or acts causing or explicitly threatening to cause serious bodily harm to other individuals. But he hears us, and he knows we're there," she said through tears. Those programs include an alcohol management program, Green Light Go and Safe, Smart Dating, Schwartz said. Even though we may have legal jurisdiction over the case, the university has mechanisms and resources in place that they can refer to the victim for follow-up care, if you will. If the person youre talking to is not willing to listen to you then just call authority, Lin said. The charges recently were filed in connectionwitha Nov. 20 party that ended with the 21-year-old student's death, and three other pledging fraternity membershospitalized due to alcohol consumption. The Fraternity and Sorority Life staff will do our absolute best to help you and your chapter access to the resources, support or care you may need. If either the victim or the suspect are affiliated with MSU, the police alert the university of the alleged assault, Gonzalez said. Theta Chi is now part of IFC. The Executive Committee (EC) of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity has voted to immediately suspend the organization's Michigan State chapter indefinitely. Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Black fraternity boots three officers involved in Tyre Nichols death, Frat member found dead at accused Idaho killers former university, Memphis cop involved in Tyre Nichols killing was president of scandal-scarred fraternity, Bowling Green reaches $3.9M settlement over students hazing death. "We are alarmed to learn of past allegations of sexual harassment against unnamed members of our chapter," the emailed statement said. Police and fire crews responded to a call for medical assistance at a home near the intersection of Stoddard Avenue and Albert Street at about 2 a.m. on Nov. 20, 2021. Their preliminary exams are slated for June 23,Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mike Cheltenham said. We work substantially to try to educate our community to prevent this from happening," Assistant Director of Greek Life Linda Alexander said. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. We dont have as many of those cases as opposed to a male assaulting a female, but I wouldnt say its unusual to see a case like that. The student, identified as Phat Nguyen by the Ingram County Medical Examiner's Office, was found unresponsive around 2 a.m. on Saturday at a residence several blocks from the East Lansing school, according to police. "It makes me stick -- sick to my stomach seeing the people involved -- that harmed Danny walking around campus, acting like they did nothing wrong," his sister said. However, there is no national headquarters for Beta Zeta, meaning no one is able to comment. A Michigan State fraternity death has resulted in the suspension of Pi Alpha Phi. Michigan State University removed the fraternity'sregistered student organization statusand suspended its charter for at least 10 years in December, while Pi Alpha Phi's National Board closed the chapter. Family of college freshman who nearly died in hazing incident speaks Eleven of the fraternities had sexual assaults reported. Ethan Tin Cao, Andrew Hoang Nguyen and Hoang John Huu Pham each has been charged withone felony count of hazing resulting in death and three misdemeanor counts of hazing resulting in physical injury. Pi Alpha Phi is concerned for the health and safety of our members, Pi Alpha Phis Risk Management Policy wrote. The reasons behind that are numerous and theyre very individualistic between cases. It wasnt secret everyone knew what was going on. "Danny was always a good kid. The Ingham County Prosecutors Office received the charges at the end of March, he said. The fraternity is trying to manage these risks. The men were released on $5,000 personal recognizance bonds. Three former Michigan State University fraternity brothers were slapped with criminal charges in the hazing death of a pledge during a booze-fueled bash welcoming new members last year. The State News reached out to national headquarters, MSU chapters and university Greek Life officials for comment on the alleged sexual assaults. Bond was set at $5,000. Michigan State University removed the organization's registered student organization status and suspended its charter for at least 10 years in December, while the Pi Alpha Phi National Board closed the chapter. The victim was examined by a sexual assault nurse examiner, who found "tears and abrasions" in his rectum, reports said. Several universities suspended Greek life after allegations of hazing, sexual assault and alcohol abuse, including the University of Michigan, Indiana University and Florida State University. Nguyens autopsy report was released recently and said the leading factor of death was confirmed as alcohol intoxication. Three of theindividuals received medical care at Sparrow Hospital and werereleased. We always are conscientious of the facts and circumstances surrounding a case, and namelyhere, we have a young person who died. Brody Square (CAPS services) 219 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing. Some examples of fraternity hazing are: Deception Demeaning Names Verbal Abuse Threats or Implied Threats Sleep Deprivation Sexual Stimulations { "We have never been informed of these allegations or related investigation, charges or adjudication concerning chapter members. People are outside a lot. The Facebook post included several photos of brothers standing in front of the Pi Alpha Phi house with large green and white Greek letters propped up behind them. An autopsy confirmed that 21-year-old Nguyen died from alcohol intoxication. Through education and awareness, the Fraternity & Sorority Councils hope to prevent member chapters from participating in these activities. One of those cases reportedly happened at Pi Kappa Alpha in March 2012. Hazing Prevention 101 Course Resources New Membership Paperwork . Weeks later, the Pi Alpha Phi National Board and MSU closed the chapter for a minimum of 10 years. The three other individuals found passed out in the residence, listed as the Pi Alpha Phi fraternity house, were taken to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, where they were treated and released. Early that Friday morning, the Asian American interest fraternity made a Facebook post welcoming four pledges into their fall 2021 class, including Nguyen. All rights reserved. You may also call the National Hazing Prevention Hotline at 1 (888) NOT-HAZE or 1 (888) 668-4293 or submit a Anonymous Report via theMSU Misconduct Hotline. -- The Zeta Beta Tau fraternity said it is revoking its chapter at the University of Michigan, alleging members there violated multiple policies, including hazing. The penalty for the felony is 15 years in jail and/or $10,000, while the misdemeanors each carry 93 days and/or $1,000. We've received your submission. In five years, 19 sexual assaults were reported at fraternity houses in East Lansing, according to East Lansing police reports obtained by The State News through a Freedom of Information Act request. Fraternity hazing is any activity that takes place in fraternities on college campuses across the U.S. Police responded to a call for medical assistance about 2 a.m. and found fourindividuals passed out," one of whom wasunresponsive and not breathing, according to a press release provided at the time. A post shared by Phat Nguyen (@phatanhnguyen). Michigan State University Defines Hazing as: Requiring or encouraging any act, whether or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in conjunction with initiation, affiliation with, continued membership, or participation in any group that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm or humiliation. Regardless, when we have a sexual assault case we will work all of the leads, if you will, that we can, even if the victim does not want to follow through or is uncooperative with our investigators. It was really gross like you could smell something, and it wasnt even just urine, it was a mix of something just kind of like vomit.. Phat. These actions led to the hospitalization of (three) crossing members and the death of (one).. The University of Missouri has since revoked the fraternity's charter and proposed sanctions against 13 of its members. Requiring or encouraging any act, whether or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in conjunction with initiation, affiliation with, continued membership, or participation in any group that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm or humiliation. More information about on campus resources can be found atcaps.msu.edu. As they were walking down the stairs they saw people standing in a room on the right side of the basement, one witness described. Shaw Hall (CAPS services) 591 N. Shaw Lane, East Lansing.Community providers will remain at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing, with the WorkLife Office supporting. We started walking into the basement and before we were down the stairs all the way the smell of urine hit me, one witness said. That's why there are so many resources available to help. Once the victims were unconscious, party attendees drew on them, slapped their hands and buttocks, and put food on the victims, the affidavits said. aScriptAttributes.push('data-spotx_channel_id="186661"'); Greek Life is also partnered with MSU's Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Prevention Program, Alexander said. DKE will not stand for sexual misconduct in our organization and pledges its full cooperation with MSU and law enforcement. Michigan State Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is an on campus support center located in Olin Health Center. Data was requested for the 29 fraternities that either are or were part of MSU's Interfraternity Council, or IFC, and had a chapter house in the past five years. Families can come to the Hannah Center at 819 Abbot Road in East Lansing for support until 9 p.m. More information about counseling services is available on the, In some cases, a student one may want to report a concern anonymously. Eliminating the scourge of fraternity hazing in Michigan When asked if their family believes Danny was hazed, his father said, "Oh, 100%." As a partner of the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, Fraternity & Sorority Life is helping to spread the word that there is no excuse for sexual assault. Eleven of the fraternities had. Daniel Santulli, 19, was found in cardiac arrest with alcohol poisoning inside a car at University Hospital on Oct. 20 and left disabled following an incident with his pledge class at the former Phi Gamma Delta fraternity last fall. Hazing is also strictly prohibited at Michigan State. Cao's attorney, Edwar Zeineh, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. It did not have any reports before then. EAST LANSING The Ingham County Prosecutor's Office has dropped charges against one of three members of the since-disbanded Pi Alpha Phi fraternity at Michigan State University in connection with the death of Phat Nguyen in November 2021. Copyright 2022 WILX. Hazing means an intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against an individual and that the person knew or should have known endangers the physical health or safety of the individual, and that is done for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization, according to the Michigan Penal Code. Id more expect them to be equally distributed throughout the school year, especially you might see more during the fall and during the spring when the weather is warmer, Gonzalez said. According to court records they have been charged with one count of hazing-death and three counts of hazing-injury. Chelthenham said he believes this is the first time the prosecutors office has sought thefelony charge of hazing resulting in death. described the disturbing party to the News. We have a few different programs that we do with members of our fraternity and then we also do them in partnership with other organizations," Assistant Director of Wellness and Harm Reduction Nancy Schwartz said. ", Just after 10:20 p.m. on the surveillance video, Bianchi said, "we see one of the fraternity members putting a tube in Danny's mouth with a funnel at the other end and pouring beer down his throat while Danny is in the middle of consuming an entire bottle of vodka. That's on the video.". Inside the fraternities: The State News investigates sexual misconduct The air got really thick. For more information, clickhere. Police affidavits in the case say that the event was a crossing party that celebrated the four pledges becoming full members of the fraternity. Police affidavits refer to the fraternity event as a crossing party, at which attendees were to celebrate the four pledges becoming full members of the group. Then, outside, fraternity members carry Danny to a car and drive him to the University of Missouri Hospital. "That personal integrity, I think, is critical to who we believe that we are as an organization. One person said they saw a pledge convulsing with blood dripping from his nose, the News reported. When youre looking at the numbers themselves, certainly that shows a spike, Gonzalez said. For questions or to report incidents of hazing, please contact ShirDonna Lawrence Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life via email at [email protected] via phone at 517-884-4070. Obviously, we certainly have cases where the victim does not want to pursue an investigation or even if an investigation is done, they dont want to pursue prosecution, Gonzalez said. return check; Collegiate Recovery Community Coordinator: Hazing is illegal in Michigan under the law commonly known as . Ethan Cao, Hoang Pham, and Andrew Nguyen have been charged in the case. Thats when we have more parties and those types of things, higher alcohol incidents. Once the victims were unconscious, party attendees drew on them, slapped their hands and buttocks, and put food on the victims, the affidavits state. ", The prosecutor's office said its investigation is ongoing and "if appropriate will file additional charges.". "I saw Danny in the medical ICU at the hospital at Mizzou. The 19 cases are approximately the expected number, East Lansing Police Deputy Chief Steve Gonzalez said. Danny, then an 18-year-old freshman, was pressured to drink an entire bottle of vodka during the event, according to the family's civil lawsuit that was recently settled against 23 defendants. Beyond the classroom, these leaders set a precedent for the greater MSU student body representing what it truly means to be a Spartan. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The rest were males accused of allegedly assaulting females. Michigan State University officials said they have a strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hazing. At this party, the victims had alcohol poured down their throats and drank until incapacitated. The removal takes effect immediately, a ZBT spokesperson told ABC News. All three individuals were shirtless with writing on their bodies in black marker including the word simp and explicit words, the witnesses said. "The Beta Epsilon chapter prides itself in being a positive impact on Greek Life, MSU, the city of East Lansing, and having the utmost respect for all individuals is our top priority. Michigan State Law:Hazing is illegal in Michigan under the law commonly known as Garrets Law, which is codified under M.C.L.A. A lot of these reports are made to the police after the fact. 2023 www.lansingstatejournal.com. We take those reports periodically. Employee Assistance Program counseling is moving to the Akers Hall private dining room.Location information: Akers Hall (CAPS and EAP services) 908 Akers Road, East Lansing. "It is unfortunate that situations like these occur in Greek Life, and it is unacceptable for an instance of sexual assault to occur in my chapter," President Evan Woodford said. Brian Morley, the attorney for AndrewNguyen, said the tragedy of the case can't be overstated, butthe criminal case will come down to whether the incident had "somebody forcing somebody to do something.". Fraternity & Sorority Life at Michigan State University has taken a stand against sexual assault. MSU's chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon has four alleged assaults reported since September 2015.
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