Penn State Has Indefinitely Banned Alcohol At All Fraternity Parties Following Student’s Death
In the wake of the death of PSU student Timothy Piazza stemming from a fall he suffered at the Beta Theta Pi house, Penn State has indefinitely banned alcohol at all fraternity parties.
From Philly.com:
Pennsylvania State University this week banned fraternity parties serving alcohol following the death of a student last weekend and mounting concerns of a task force looking into Greek life on the University Park campus.
The university gave no time line for the moratorium but said it will last until new policies and practices can be put in place.
“This is just a way to gain some time to take a look at the issues,” said university spokeswoman Lisa Powers.
I don’t think this ban surprises anybody; it was how this story was always going to proceed. This is risk management 101 stuff if you’re a large public university (or any university, for that matter), though I’m sure it’s not a favorable course of action for many PSU students. It’s important that those negatively affected by this ruling don’t place blame on anyone, though — especially the Betas. If anything, they should be reaching out to the Betas and consoling them in their time of need. Losing a brother is just that — the loss of a loved one — and what the PSU Betas are going through is far, far worse than prohibition. America was dry for 13 years; you can do it for however long PSU decides is pertinent.
I’m going to emphasize here that nobody should be jumping to conclusions about what occurred at the Beta house that led to Timothy Piazza’s death. Until all the facts come out, everything is just rumor and hearsay. But, as I stated as a PSA in my somehow controversial article about Piazza’s tragic passing without ever implying it’s what happened that night, please call emergency services if you think one of your friends may be in danger. If you let them “sleep it off” so either you or your fraternity don’t get in trouble, it may be the last thing they ever do..
[via Philly.com]
Image via Penn State Beta Theta Pi
The way I see it drinking in the US needs to be lowered to 19 or maybe 18. College kids won’t be afraid to call for help because of repercussions when shit like this happens. Regardless, Rest In Peace.
9 years ago at 2:43 amJust like every other group or organization, tragedy is met with punishment for all and all like them. Oh wait that’s just Greek organizations. The administration thinking that is the solution is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen.
9 years ago at 4:49 amthey may not even enforce it, seems like a political move
9 years ago at 11:12 am“Why’d you get rejected glen?”
9 years ago at 7:30 pm“Some political crap, I gotta zero on my SAT’s”