Because the incident happened in 2012, the current Phi Gamma Delta president was still in high school, President Jack Rose said. 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 MSU fraternity, Pi Alpha Phi, was suspended after. The men were released on $5,000 personal recognizance bonds. 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. Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mike Cheltenham said in June that he believes it was the first time the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office has sought the felony charges of hazing resulting in death. 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. Those programs include an alcohol management program, Green Light Go and Safe, Smart Dating, Schwartz said. Brody Square (CAPS services) 219 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing. People are outside a lot. When youre looking at the numbers themselves, certainly that shows a spike, Gonzalez said. EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Three people have been charged in the hazing death of Phat Nguyen, a Michigan State University student. There are no words we can say that would effectively detail the heartache we are all feeling. The national headquarters of Zeta Beta Tau declined to comment on the specific case, but did explain the steps it is taking to educate its members. Once a report is made to ELPD, officers first gather basic information where they determine if the alleged assault occurred in East Lansing or on campus, 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.. We work substantially to try to educate our community to prevent this from happening," Assistant Director of Greek Life Linda Alexander said. A fraternity or sorority's values contradict hazing. The University of Missouri has since revoked the fraternity's charter and proposed sanctions against 13 of its members. Chelthenham said he believes this is the first time the prosecutors office has sought thefelony charge of hazing resulting in death. After entering the house, the witnesses stood in the kitchen and picked up a smell of urine. Michigan State University officials said they have a strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hazing. Fraternities affiliated with University of Michigan fall from 27 to 19 between school years Of 27 fraternities who were in good standing with the University of Michigan's Interfraternity. 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. 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. That's on the video.". { We will get through it.". 3 charged in hazing death of Michigan State University student - WILX Their preliminary exams are slated for June 23,Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mike Cheltenham said. In some cases, a student one may want to report a concern anonymously. 3 frat members charged in hazing death of Michigan State student Mr Santulli is seen being led shirtless through the house by other fraternity brothers before the drinking episode begins. On Nov. 19, the MSU chapter of Pi Alpha Phi held a crossing party to welcome four new members into their fraternity. The University of Missouri has since revoked the fraternity's charter and proposed sanctions against 13 of its members. It was really really strong. Our mission is to provide a safe and supportive campus community in which students in recovery from addiction can achieve their academic, personal and professional goals. 0:36. I think especially more than ever its really important.. Theres a lot of different facets of why alcohol or drugs are involved in a case, but it is a trend that we see, that a lot of these cases do have some type of a correlation with alcohol or drug use.. The Independent has reached out to MSU for comment. Michigan State University suspends frat in wake of student's death "We also have not had any incidents since that time or since I have been president.". 750.411(t). Michigan State University suspends frat in wake of student's death Drugging allegations at Northwestern frat houses spark protests 15 fraternity members charged in connection with death of 19-year . The MSU chapter of Theta Chi declined to comment because it was not charted during the alleged incidents. Michigan State Fraternity Death, Injuries Rock Campus - The Doan Law We have multiple members of the fraternity who are members of the Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Prevention Program (SARV) at Michigan State, and they strive to make MSU and Greek Life a safer place.". Edwar Zeineh, Cao's lawyer, said his client entered a not guilty plea. Seventeen cases had investigations stall because the victims did not want to pursue an investigation. Any group or individual responsible for hazing may be subject to disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, and/or civil prosecution. All rights reserved. Pi Alpha Phi House photographed on Dec. 17, 2021. A lawyer for one of the accused said the case will come down to whether Nguyen was forced into drinking. The reasons behind that are numerous and theyre very individualistic between cases. When asked if their family believes Danny was hazed, his father said, "Oh, 100%." The question has to be asked, maybe its not specifically related to St. Patrick's Day, but is it more related to the weather and we see larger parties, more parties, those types of things during that time frame.. An autopsy report confirmed alcohol intoxication was the cause of death, according to the News. The State News attempted to contact multiple Pi Alpha Phi members. After six weeks in the intensive care unit, Danny Santulli was moved to a rehab hospital in Colorado. It wasnt secret everyone knew what was going on. 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. https://ossa.msu.edu/hazing-information-and-resources. We hope you are close to friends and loved ones. Three MSU fraternity members face felony charge over Phat Nguyen's 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. Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism. Interfraternity Council suspends all fraternity social activity in if (bMobile) JED Foundation Mental Health Resource Center, http://splife.studentlife.msu.edu/regulations/general-student-regulations. "So both of those specific student leaders will have their own specialized training that they go through in the spring. All three individuals were shirtless with writing on their bodies in black marker including the word simp and explicit words, the witnesses said. 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. aScriptAttributes.push('data-spotx_content_width="608"'); Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? "Missouri has what I would call a rather typical hazing statute," Bianchi said. So when they do that usually people are supposed to be there just like looking after them, but I guess this time there wasnt, the student said. Michigan State fraternity scavenger hunt list prompts investigation The 19 cases are approximately the expected number, East Lansing Police Deputy Chief Steve Gonzalez said. Mental health is just as important as caring for our physical health. There's no reason to necessarily cause too much emotional turmoil right now," Morley said. The fraternity is trying to manage these risks. It did not have any reports before then. 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. It was hazing, one witness 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. Some examples of fraternity hazing are: Deception Demeaning Names Verbal Abuse Threats or Implied Threats Sleep Deprivation Sexual Stimulations 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. . 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. 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. The MSU chapter of Phi Kappa Psi declined to comment, deferring to IFC. 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. He was one of three men charged in June with one count of felony hazing resulting in death, and three counts of misdemeanor hazing resulting in physical injury, East Lansing District Court administrator Nicole Evans said. return check; It wasnt secret everyone knew what was going on, the witness said. Both suspensions are listed as temporary pending the results of an investigation into the Michigan State fraternity death of Phat Nguyen. The three individuals had thrown up over themselves and the witnesses could see that they had urinated on themselves as well. The charges recently were filed in connection with a Nov. 20 party that ended with the 21-year-old student's death, and three other pledging fraternity members hospitalized due to alcohol. The days ahead will be tough, and we will get through them together. 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. A Michigan State fraternity is under investigation from the university and by its national organization after an student found an offensive scavenger hunt list that appears to belong to the group . This initiative includes interactive discussions about safety and education on topics surrounding Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence and creating a safer community here at Michigan State. And the leaders of Pi Alpha Phi, comprising "pledge master" Ethan Cao, "pledge dad" Andrew Nguyen and frat president Hoang Pham, now face 15 years of jail time and a $10,000 fine under Michigan's anti-hazing laws. Fraternity suspended after Michigan State student's death Alcohol and drugs are usually allegedly involved in most cases reported, Gonzalez said. A lot of these reports are made to the police after the fact. 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. By Randall. Sometimes when we discuss the use of drugs in a sexual assault, sometimes thats not by the choice of the victim. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. "We believe that being able to provide a safe and healthy experience for our members is a prerequisite in our mission to being a valued partner in higher education," the national fraternity said in a statement. 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. In November 2016, Theta Chi was reinstated on campus, according to the national website. Three of theindividuals received medical care at Sparrow Hospital and werereleased. According to the police documents, officials observed video of AndrewNguyen pouring alcohol into the pledges' mouths. He was," his mother, Mary Pat Santulli, told ABC News. MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services counselors are moving to Akers Hall, Brody Square and Shaw Hall private dining rooms to provide services. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. "And the conduct that occurred that night at pledge dad reveal night is textbook hazing. We investigate all the cases equally on the merits of the evidence that we can discover and turn over to the prosecutors office. Still looks like Danny. But this inability to charge Sigma Chi with a criminal offense is one that legislators are trying to change. One, Philip Jeon, responded and said that everything the pledges did was completely voluntary. The Executive Committee (EC) of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity has voted to immediately suspend the organization's Michigan State chapter indefinitely. Community providers will remain at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing, with the WorkLife Office supporting. 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. Instead, a fraternity known as Beta Zeta resided in the same house. It's, like, I don't know. Cao's attorney, Edwar Zeineh, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. Once the victims were unconscious, party attendees drew on them, slapped their hands and buttocks, and put food on the victims, the affidavits state. Nguyens autopsy report was released recently and said the leading factor of death was confirmed as alcohol intoxication. Every time Id see him he was smiling, laughing with other people, Zhou said. "A misdemeanor is not gonna wake them up," Danny's father said. He lost his vision. Olsen told the newspaper that university officials suspended the Pi Alpha Phi chapter pending further investigation, meaning the Greek organization must cease from recruiting new members and is barred from hosting campus-related events. aScriptAttributes = [ His mother said doctors told them he'll need care for life. Fraternity Hazing: Why It's So Hard to Stop Student Deaths | Time 2023 www.lansingstatejournal.com. All chapter presidents and risk managers(or another leadership member, if your chapter does not have a risk manager) participate in leadership-based interactive training, and all general members are required to choose a workshop focused on a specialized topic. However, there is no national headquarters for Beta Zeta, meaning no one is able to comment. 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. Sigma Phi Epsilon is not an active chapter on campus. "I can tell you that currently we participate in 'Greeks take the lead' and a sexual assault awareness speaker comes to our specific chapter to speak about sexual assault," Rose said in an email. His mom is now his full-time caregiver and their family is focused on celebrating any day-by-day progress. "He did organize the party, but there was absolutely nothing to show that he individually contributed to what happened beyond that," Coontz said. The MSU chapter of Delta Chi declined to comment. Pi Alpha Phi works to address negative behaviors associated with alcohol and drug abuse, hazing, and sexual abuse and harassment., Rule 9 of the Pi Alpha Phi Member Code of Conduct states that, in order to promote a strong brotherhood, members agree to not misuse nor support the misuse of alcohol or drugs.. Emergency medical personal responded to a 911 call on Saturday at 2:00 a.m. What we also do, though, is if the East Lansing Police Department has jurisdiction over the case and were going to investigate it, refer it for prosecution, if the victim or the suspect are related to the university we are required to report that to the university, Gonzalez said. The State News attempted to reach the three pledges. The purpose of the hotline is to provide an anonymous method to report known or suspected misconductat Michigan State University. 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. Phat Nguyen and Andrew Nguyen are not related. Fraternity & Sorority Life at Michigan State University has taken a stand against sexual assault. At this party, the victims had alcohol poured down their throats and drank until incapacitated. I mean a 6-year-old calls 911," Mary Pat Santulli told ABC News. Eleven of the fraternities had sexual assaults reported. 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. We as the Fraternity & Sorority Life staff send loving thoughts to all in the Fraternity and Sorority Life community here at Michigan State University. var bMobile = mobileAndTabletcheck(), As such, it is the policy of the University that hazing is strictly prohibited. Misconduct related to the following areas can be reported through the hotline: fiscal, conflicts of interest, employment, medical/HIPAA, research, safety, athletics, discrimination/harassment, privacy, retaliation, and any other issue that does not fit another category. Now, more than seven months later, he's back home in Minnesota with his family. All three have been released on $5,000 bonds. But I am in no position (to say) that my client was in any way, shape or form, the cause of death, Zeineh said. else aScriptAttributes.push('data-spotx_content_height="250"'); It is a huge commitment that our campus is working towards, to educate, IFC fraternities specifically.. One person said they saw a pledge convulsing with blood dripping from his nose, the News reported. Hazing, secrecy leave University of Michigan fraternities in turmoil According to the witnesses, students from other MSU Greek life organizations attended the party as well. "The preliminary investigation indicates that the deceased is an MSU student and that alcohol consumption could play a factor in this case," the police statement reads. The hope is that out of our 90 chapters, 30 a year are getting some sort of educational program.. At the end of the day you could be saving someones life and that is more important.. More information about on campus resources can be found atcaps.msu.edu. All three are scheduled for pre-exam conferences on June 17. Three fraternities, Delta Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Phi Epsilon, all had two reported. "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. Support student media! } 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. 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. EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Three people have been charged in the hazing death of Phat Nguyen, a Michigan State University student. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? ", 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.". DKE will not stand for sexual misconduct in our organization and pledges its full cooperation with MSU and law enforcement. 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. Pi Alpha Phi is concerned for the health and safety of our members, Pi Alpha Phis Risk Management Policy wrote. If either the victim or the suspect are affiliated with MSU, the police alert the university of the alleged assault, Gonzalez said. Nguyen died last November after going to a welcome party at the fraternity house, while three other pledges also passed out and were hospitalised. 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. 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. 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. document.write('<\/scr' + 'ipt>'); In the moment I didnt realize something could be very wrong here, one witness said. Since 1872, Michigan State Universitys Fraternity and Sorority Community has been a thriving part of campus life. Housed in the Health Promotion Department, MSUs Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) serves students in or seeking recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. We were actually encouraged to drop, Jeon wrote in an Instagram direct message. 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. "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. Joining a Fraternity or Sorority brings life long relationships, opportunities for personal and career growth, and a national network of alumni across the globe. 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. That's why there are so many resources available to help. Health and Safety | Fraternity & Sorority Life - Michigan State University Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Three fraternity brothers charged over students hazing death, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Get up to 10% off using the Booking.com app, 50 off over 650 using this Expedia discount code, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 10% off selected product with this eBay voucher code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK April 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this April, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. Danny Santulli, 19, was forced to drink a bottle of Titos vodka and force-fed beer at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house during the Pledge Dad Reveal Night in October 2021, in video obtained by Good Morning Ameria. "We have never been informed of these allegations or related investigation, charges or adjudication concerning chapter members. 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. "And we'll just keep fighting, and we're not gonna give up hope. 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. Family of college freshman who nearly died in hazing incident speaks Share and discuss Witnesses recount what happened at Pi Alpha Phi fraternity party where student died on social media. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. They could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted. Alcohol consumption being investigated in the off-campus tragedy. He was happy. { It was made illegal in Michigan in 2004 for any individual to be hazed by someone affiliated with an educational institution. Three students from MSU have. He was hazed to death and that is the truth.. All rights reserved. Charges dropped for fraternity member in hazing case; two other men Weeks later, the Pi Alpha Phi National Board and MSU closed the chapter for a minimum of 10 years. Charges against John Pham were dismissed. 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. The air got really thick, one witness told the publication. Our brothers accept the responsibility to participate in society as active and safe citizens, and having that social responsibility in the integrity," Schwartz said. One of those cases reportedly happened at Pi Kappa Alpha in March 2012. "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. EAST LANSING Three members of the since-disbanded Pi Alpha Phi fraternity at Michigan State University are facing criminal charges in connection with the death of Phat Nguyen in November 2021, court records show.. Ethan Tin Cao, Andrew Hoang Nguyen and Hoang John Huu Pham each has been charged with one felony count of hazing resulting in death and three misdemeanor counts of hazing . 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. Minutes before 11 p.m., Danny Santulli can be seen losing his balance and falling backward. For more information on hazing and how to report can be found here:https://ossa.msu.edu/hazing-information-and-resources, Anonymous reporting on hazing activities and resources can also be found here:https://hazingprevention.org/students. I do not have any comments about this incident, Cao said in a text. At MSU, the highest number of reported assaults occurred at Delta Kappa Epsilon. 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. The bros made sure to say to us that everything is voluntary and that we couldve said no to anything that night of the party. '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"' 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. And we're here to help. Upon arrival at the scene, the found Phat Nguyen unresponsive and not breathing.