In a lot of the cases there is a component of either alcohol or drugs use, to the extent that will vary, Gonzalez said. The Santulli family and their lawyer are fighting to make a difference. Michigan State Law:Hazing is illegal in Michigan under the law commonly known as Garrets Law, which is codified under M.C.L.A. The victim said she was drunk and said no to penetrative sex, but the suspect allegedly did not listen to her. Michigan State Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is an on campus support center located in Olin Health Center. 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. Eleven of the fraternities had. Hazing is illegal in Michigan under Garret's Law. Emergency medical personal responded to a 911 call on Saturday at 2:00 a.m. Center equity in programmatic efforts so that they are relevant to and reflective of the experiences of various communities and identity groups in MSU fraternity and sorority life. 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. 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. 'type="text/javascript" src="http://js.spotx.tv/easi/v1/85394.js" data-spotx_ad_done_function="myAdDoneFunction" data-spotx_ad_unit="incontent" data-spotx_autoplay="1" data-spotx_ad_volume="0" data-spotx_loop="0" data-spotx_collapse="1" data-spotx_unmute_on_mouse="1"' Phat Nguyen died early Nov.20, 2021, at 413 Stoddard Ave.in East Lansing. JED Foundation Mental Health Resource Center, http://splife.studentlife.msu.edu/regulations/general-student-regulations. 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.. But I am in no position (to say) that my client was in any way, shape or form, the cause of death, Zeineh said. They found four individuals passed out with one, Nguyen, unresponsive and not breathing. Ethan Cao, Hoang Pham, and Andrew Nguyen have been charged in the case. The house has four alleged assaults reported since September 2015. 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. An autopsy report confirmed alcohol intoxication was the cause of death, according to the News. Investigators say that there is video of Andrew Nguyen pouring alcohol into the pledges mouths, while Mr Cao was the fraternitys pledge master, and Mr Pham was the organisations president. The Greeks Take the Lead Program serves as a way to help fraternity and sorority students feel empowered by providing further education on how they can intervene and end sexual violence in their chapters and greater community. Their (number one) priority was our safety.. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? aScriptAttributes.push('data-spotx_content_width="608"'); In the case of a male accused of assaulting another male at Sigma Phi Epsilon in January 2013, the victim alleged he was roofied and unconscious during the rape, police reports said. "He's still not talking or walking. The Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD) programis committed to reducing the negative impact associated with substance use, while cultivating an environment in which MSU students can flourish personally, civically and academically. You are worthy, no matter how hopeless things might feel right now. John Pham's attorney, Dustyn Coontz, said he hasn't seen any evidence indicating his client hazed new fraternity members resulting in physical harm. Contact reporter Jared Weber at 517-582-3937 or jtweber@lsj.com. As one witness recounts, they saw one pledge with blood dripping from his nose onto his arm and experiencing convulsion-like movements. Pi Alpha Phi is concerned for the health and safety of our members, Pi Alpha Phis Risk Management Policy wrote. Michigan State University has implemented a telephone hotline including a web reporting feature to help maintain adherence to ethical practices. The reasons behind that are numerous and theyre very individualistic between cases. Thats simply so that we can do our due diligence and take a look into the case and see if theres anything there that the police need to act on or need to refer for prosecution.. According to the witnesses, students from other MSU Greek life organizations attended the party as well. 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. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Phat. A fraternity or sorority's values contradict hazing. At nearly 12:30 a.m., alone on the sofa, he begins to slip onto the floor as the minutes tick by and he struggled to move. It was a really dirty old room, no furniture, nothing, one witness said. It just happened to be that people would go down there, I guess take photos, go back up, dance, party, get bored, go back down there.. Since 1872, Michigan State University's Fraternity and Sorority Community has been a thriving part of campus life. Support student media! The four were allegedly found unconscious and reeking of urine in a dirty basement, wearing nothing but shorts, reports said. The men were released on $5,000 personal recognizance bonds. It was hazing, one witness said. 0:36. There are no anti-hazing laws in Michigan, so it is impossible to prove there is criminal misconduct in these situations," Oates said. Every time Id see him he was smiling, laughing with other people, Zhou said. In a statement to ABC News, the fraternity said, "Danny should not have been put in such a situation" and the "fraternity prohibits hazing" and giving alcohol to minors. Community providers will remain at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing, with the WorkLife Office supporting. "We are heartbroken by this loss to our Spartan community and our thoughts and prayers are with the student's family and friends," Dan Olsen, a spokesperson for the university, told the Lansing State Journal. ", In surveillance footage taken inside the frat house shortly after 9 p.m. on Oct. 19, pledges can be seen blindfolded and led downstairs for a ritual known as "pledge dad reveal night.". In Michigan, students who are under the legal drinking age may now reasonably expect that if they seek medical assistance for a themselves or a friend when there are health care concerns related to alcohol use, they will not face criminal prosecution. Police affidavits in the case say that the event was a crossing party that celebrated the four pledges becoming full members of the fraternity. Michigan State University campus sign in East Lansing, Mich., Feb. 1, 2018. Three Michigan State University fraternity members have been charged over the November 2021 hazing death of a student who was found unconscious and covered in vomit in a basement. We meet with her regularly. Cao was the fraternitys pledge master, AndrewNguyen was the pledge dad and Pham was the organizations president, the affidavits said. And it's just -- it's just a bunch of tubes everywhere," his brother, Nick Santulli, told ABC News. MSU has a sexual assault program which "responds to those impacted by sexual violence and works to create a community free of violence and oppression," according to its website. The charge became law in 2004 with Michigans passage of Senate Bill 0783, which prohibited the hazing of an individual by someone affiliated with an educational institution. I mean a 6-year-old calls 911," Mary Pat Santulli told ABC News. Instead, a fraternity known as Beta Zeta resided in the same house. 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. It just happened to be that people would go down there, I guess take photos, go back up, dance, party, get bored, go back down there.. 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. To prevent member chapters from participating in these activities, the Fraternity & Sorority Councils educate and raise awareness. The allegations include: claims of sexual misconduct cases involving fraternity brothers, six incidents of reported hazing, more than 30 hospital transports for students during the weekend of the football game against Michigan State as well as seven called during Halloween weekend, an unauthorized "Champagne and Shackles" event in which . Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? He's in a wheelchair. No student organization or individual student shall conduct nor condone hazing activities. We take those reports periodically. 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. Edwar Zeineh, Cao's lawyer, said his client entered a not guilty plea. An MSU fraternity, Pi Alpha Phi, was suspended after Nguyen was found to have died in a hazing incident. MSU's official hazing prevention statement says Greek Life is meant to be a safe, positive, and educational part of the university experience and that hazing is contradictory to the values held by fraternities and sororities. Prosecutors say that Mr Cao and Mr Pham are implicated because of their positions within the fraternity and allege that they knew these actions were taking place and knew the nature of the (crossing) party.. Their preliminary exams are slated for June 23,Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mike Cheltenham said. 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 theCounseling and Psychiatric Services website. There's no reason to necessarily cause too much emotional turmoil right now," Morley said. We hope you are close to friends and loved ones. "I saw Danny in the medical ICU at the hospital at Mizzou. We've received your submission. Pham was the fraternity's president and organized the "crossing party," at which attendees were to celebrate four pledges becoming full members of Pi Alpha Phi. return check; Sigma Phi Epsilon's chapter at MSU was suspended Aug. 15, so the local chapter could not comment. The three accused former frat boys, who are facing up to 15 years in jail and a fine up to $10,000, are not enrolled in MSU for the fall, the Lansing State Journal reported. Fraternity & Sorority Life at Michigan State University has taken a stand against sexual assault. The University of Michigan's Interfraternity Council voted Wednesday to remove the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity from campus, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life said in a press release. These hazing activities fall into three categories: intimidation, harassment, and violence. 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. We're glad you're here. The fraternity chapter has since been disbanded. It's, like, I don't know. The charge became law in 2004 with Michigans passage of Senate Bill 0783, which prohibited the hazing of an individual by someone affiliated with an educational institution. A lawyer for one of the accused said the case will come down to whether Nguyen was forced into drinking. According to the Michigan Penal Code Section 750.411t, if hazing results in a death, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by no more than 15 years in prison or a fine no more than. MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services counselors are moving to Akers Hall, Brody Square and Shaw Hall private dining rooms to provide services. A lot of these reports are made to the police after the fact. And we're gonna love Danny forever, and we'll always be by his side, no matter what," his brother said. var bMobile = mobileAndTabletcheck(), More info: The regulations apply to students and student groups while on the land governed by the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, when students or student groups are engaged in University-sponsored or student group-sponsored (student governing groups and registered student organizations) activities off campus, or when the conduct of a student poses a clear and present danger to the health or safety of person or property. ", The prosecutor's office said its investigation is ongoing and "if appropriate will file additional charges.". Pi Alpha Phis national boards policy statements and risk management information state that hazing, along with other actions, can have a devastating effect on their brotherhood. "That being said, the Beta Epsilon chapter like all other chapters of Zeta Beta Tau, have a zero tolerance policy towards sexual assault/sexual harassment being committed by brothers of the fraternity. "At the end of the day, it's still Danny. Phat Nguyen died from acute alcohol consumption after attending an off-campus party in East Lansing, Michigan, at the now-disbanded Pi Alpha Phi fraternitys house. 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. The CRC and its services are designed to empower students to thrive in the fullness of the college experience, free from alcohol and other drugs. Laying on two of the bare twin-sized mattresses, placed on either side of the room, were three out of the four Pi Alpha Phi fall 2021 newly initiated brothers. 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.". The student, identified as Phat. The case was closed because the victim stopped cooperating with the police and it was never referred to the prosecutor's office. The purpose of the hotline is to provide an anonymous method to report known or suspected misconductat Michigan State University. Editor's note: If a student needs support services, reach out to MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services, or CAPS, to schedule individual counseling sessions or call CAPS crises services that can be reached at (517) 355-8270 and are available to students 24/7/365. "We also have not had any incidents since that time or since I have been president.". Cao and Pham are implicated throughtheir positions within the fraternity, with prosecutorssaying they knew these actions were taking place and knew the nature of the (crossing)party.". Each council serves as the governing bodies of our community, determining policies, procedures, rules, and standards for the organizations . Nguyens autopsy report was released recently and said the leading factor of death was confirmed as alcohol intoxication. The Executive Committee (EC) of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity has voted to immediately suspend the organization's Michigan State chapter indefinitely. aScriptAttributes = [ Cao, the fraternitys fall 2021 pledge master, refused to be interviewed. 3 charged in hazing death of Michigan State University student, East Lansing police seek help identifying subjects in Raising Canes theft, vandalism, Mother arrested for leaving children home alone to go to gym, police say, Junior League of Lansing raises funds for the community, Jackson church discusses cash bail out reform, Vermontville hosts annual Maple Syrup Festival, Local organization hosts 5K for infertility awareness. "They were given their family bottle of alcohol and then they drank from it and they took them upstairs and for the next two hours, they drank and drink and drink," David Bianchi, the family's attorney, told "Good Morning America. "Danny was always a good kid. Ethan Cao and Andrew Nguyen who both face the same four charges will be arraigned in 30th Circuit Court later this month after waiving their right to a preliminary examination before District Court Judge MollyHennesseyGreenwalt. There were already a lot of people down there, one witness said. Employee Assistance Program counseling is moving to the Akers Hall private dining room. In some cases, a student one may want to report a concern anonymously. The State News reached out to national headquarters, MSU chapters and university Greek Life officials for comment on the alleged sexual assaults. Prosecutors have charged one fraternity member with two misdemeanors for supplying alcohol to a minor. The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Health Promotion staff offers educational sessions for students concerned about their own alcohol and other drug use or that of a friend or family member. That's on the video.". Fraternity members have been forced to chug. EAST LANSING, MI - The Pi Alpha Phi national organization has suspended the Michigan State University chapter of the fraternity in the wake of a student death. He was very charismatic, that is something that I do admire.. The removal takes effect immediately, a ZBT spokesperson told ABC News. We notify the university of the incident so that they can on their end, provide some resources and care to the victim as well.. The University of Missouri has since revoked the fraternity's charter and proposed sanctions against 13 of its members. Shift attitudes, beliefs, behaviors and norms on topics pertaining to gender-based violence against MSU fraternity and sorority student populations in an effort to stregthen the culture of prevention and support in their communities. I do not have any comments about this incident, Cao said in a text. They are scheduled to return to court on June 23 for a preliminary examination. His mother said doctors told them he'll need care for life. The case was referred to the Eaton County Prosecutor's Office, but a warrant for the suspect was denied because the burden of proof was not met. "That personal integrity, I think, is critical to who we believe that we are as an organization. The 19 cases are approximately the expected number, East Lansing Police Deputy Chief Steve Gonzalez said. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The Independent has reached out to MSU for comment. Our brothers accept the responsibility to participate in society as active and safe citizens, and having that social responsibility in the integrity," Schwartz said. We have had cases where victims have claimed, or we have substantiated their claim, that some type of drug was slipped into a drink of theirs unbeknownst to them. Another said attendees went down to the basement to gawk at the pledges and take photos before heading back up to the party. Contact reporter Jared Weber at 517-582-3937 or jtweber@lsj.com. The death of a 21-year-old Michigan State University student has prompted the school to suspend a fraternity he recently joined as police investigate whether alcohol played a role in the tragedy that unfolded at an off-campus frat house, officials said. 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. 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.. We as the Fraternity & Sorority Life staff send loving thoughts to all in the Fraternity and Sorority Life community here at Michigan State University. Makethe call. Ethan Tin Cao, Andrew Hoang Nguyen and Hoang John Huu Pham of the now defunct MSU fraternity Pi Alpha Phi face three misdemeanor charges of hazing causing physical injury and one felony of hazing resulting in death. At Michigan State University we are dedicated to the health, safety and well being of all our members, students, and staff. The party ended with the death of MSU business student Phat Nguyen and three other pledges transported to Sparrow Hospital. The MSU chapter of Phi Kappa Psi declined to comment, deferring to IFC. 750.411(t). So its hard to establish independently with a blood test or even first person observations of the officer whether or not that accused had been using drugs or alcohol as well.. Pi Alpha Phi House photographed on Dec. 17, 2021.
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