As such, it is the policy of the University that hazing is strictly prohibited. According to court records they have been charged with one count of hazing-death and three counts of hazing-injury. 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.. Michigan State Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is an on campus support center located in Olin Health Center. According to MLive.com and the Michigan Daily, UM suspended ALL Greek social activities on campus following the Michigan-Michigan State football weekend, with a reported six acts of hazing; 30 transports to University Hospital for various alcohol incidents, and several physical injuries. 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. All three have been released on $5,000 bonds. We also ask that you keep Sigma Lambda Gamma International Sorority, Incorporated in your thoughts and prayers as we jointly hope for the speedy recovery of their sorority sister. { EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Three people have been charged in the hazing death of Phat Nguyen, a Michigan State University student. } 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, Brian Morley, attorney for Andrew Nguyen, told the Journal. A lot of these reports are made to the police after the fact. 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.". 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. 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. Michigan State University spokesperson Dan Olsen said none of the three men charged are enrolled for the fall semester at the university. Family of college freshman who nearly died in hazing incident speaks 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. The cause of Nguyen's death is pending the results of toxicology tests taken as part of an autopsy, police said. Prosecutors have charged one fraternity member with two misdemeanors for supplying alcohol to a minor. The 19 cases are approximately the expected number, East Lansing Police Deputy Chief Steve Gonzalez said. Edwar Zeineh, Cao's lawyer, said his client entered a not guilty plea. The witness recount and students reports. Each council serves as the governing bodies of our community, determining policies, procedures, rules, and standards for the organizations . -- The Zeta Beta Tau fraternity said it is revoking its chapter at the University of Michigan, alleging members there violated multiple policies, including hazing. Sigma Phi Epsilon's chapter at MSU was suspended Aug. 15, so the local chapter could not comment. We work substantially to try to educate our community to prevent this from happening," Assistant Director of Greek Life Linda Alexander said. Beta Zeta has the second highest amount of alleged incidents reported, with three reported since March 2015. An MSU fraternity, Pi Alpha Phi, was suspended after. The MSU chapter of Phi Kappa Psi declined to comment, deferring to IFC. "Just the fact that they knew he was in distress and his lips were blue, and nobody called 911. At Michigan State University we are dedicated to the health, safety and well being of all our members, students, and staff. described the disturbing party to the News. It wasnt secret everyone knew what was going on, the witness said. As one witness recounts, they saw one pledge with blood dripping from his nose onto his arm and experiencing convulsion-like movements. 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. https://ossa.msu.edu/hazing-information-and-resources. Employee Assistance Program counseling is moving to the Akers Hall private dining room. People would go down there and look at them and come back up. "Missouri has what I would call a rather typical hazing statute," Bianchi said. ZBT fraternity shutters University of Michigan chapter after hazing Our goal is to educate members on safe and legal celebrating to help foster a positive and responsible community. More information about on campus resources can be found atcaps.msu.edu. { "Sigma Phi Epsilon provides training opportunities each year to our members on consent and healthy relationships, and our Live Your Oath campaign teaches brothers how they can help end sexual assault on our campuses.". Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The student, identified as Phat. Amid national attention on allegations of misconduct throughout Greek life on college campuses, a State News analysis found nearly 20 alleged sexual assaults were reported at fraternity houses in East Lansing since 2012, though none resulted in criminal charges or convictions. "And we'll just keep fighting, and we're not gonna give up hope. That's on the video.". 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. 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. . Currently, the investigation is still ongoing, led by the East Lansing Police Department, or ELPD. June 10, 2022. But he hears us, and he knows we're there," she said through tears. At this stage, I look at these charges and say: these are charges that have to be vigorously defended against.. "At the end of the day, it's still Danny. They are free on $5,000 personal recognizance bonds. The men were released on $5,000 personal recognizance bonds. "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. All three are scheduled for pre-exam conferences on June 17. aScriptAttributes.push('data-spotx_content_width="608"'); Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Members of the IFC voted unanimously to terminate Alpha Sigma Phi's Theta chapter following an investigation by the . To visit the website, please go to the, Counseling and Psychiatric Services website, https://ossa.msu.edu/hazing-information-and-resources. by Remy Farkas November 8, 2018. Nguyen died last November after going to a welcome party at the fraternity house, while three other pledges also passed out and were hospitalised. But I am in no position (to say) that my client was in any way, shape or form, the cause of death, Zeineh said. When he arrived at the hospital, he was in cardiac arrest and not breathing. In only two cases, the accused was known to have consumed alcohol, but this is usually harder to prove, Gonzalez said. If either the victim or the suspect are affiliated with MSU, the police alert the university of the alleged assault, Gonzalez said. 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. Pi Alpha Phi House photographed on Dec. 17, 2021. Brian Morley, Andrew Nguyen's attorney, said there were a "variety of factors" in his client waiving the preliminary exam. On Thursday, two other people charged in connection with Nguyen's death waived preliminary hearings and were bound over to circuit court to stand trial. Share and discuss Witnesses recount what happened at Pi Alpha Phi fraternity party where student died on social media. The chapter gave a statement promising to hold people accountable. His mother said doctors told them he'll need care for life. When police officers responded to a medical emergency call at the residence, they found four individuals passed out inside, including Nguyen, who was unresponsive and not breathing, according to a statement from the East Lansing Police Department. 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. The State News reached out to national headquarters, MSU chapters and university Greek Life officials for comment on the alleged sexual assaults. aScriptAttributes.push('data-spotx_unmute_on_mouse="1"'); 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. Hazing is also strictly prohibited at Michigan State. "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. We as the Fraternity & Sorority Life staff send loving thoughts to all in the Fraternity and Sorority Life community here at Michigan State University. We take those cases, Gonzalez said. Still looks like Danny. Michigan State fraternity members face felony over pledge's hazing death In a lot of the cases there is a component of either alcohol or drugs use, to the extent that will vary, Gonzalez said. Fraternity hazing is any activity that takes place in fraternities on college campuses across the U.S. Then, outside, fraternity members carry Danny to a car and drive him to the University of Missouri Hospital. Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism. 0:36. 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. Of the 19 reported alleged assaults, seven of them occurred on or near St. Patricks Day. They are scheduled to return to court on June 23 for a preliminary examination. aScriptAttributes.push('data-spotx_channel_id="186765"'); 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. 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. He lost his vision. One person said they saw a pledge convulsing with blood dripping from his nose, the News reported. The days ahead will be tough, and we will get through them together. Interfraternity Council suspends all fraternity social activity in 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. ", 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. Three fraternity brothers charged over student's hazing death at All three individuals were shirtless with writing on their bodies in black marker including the word simp and explicit words, the witnesses said. The MSU chapters of Alpha Gamma Rho, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Triangle did not respond to request for comment. Sigma Chi vacates residence in light of hazing incident "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. Nguyens autopsy report was released recently and said the leading factor of death was confirmed as alcohol intoxication. 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. 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. There's no reason to necessarily cause too much emotional turmoil right now," Morley said. 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. Our brothers accept the responsibility to participate in society as active and safe citizens, and having that social responsibility in the integrity," Schwartz said. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? An autopsy report confirmed alcohol intoxication was the cause of death, according to the News. Michigan State University suspends frat in wake of student's death It was made illegal in Michigan in 2004 for any individual to be hazed by someone affiliated with an educational institution. 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. According to the witnesses, students from other MSU Greek life organizations attended the party as well. Charges dropped for fraternity member in hazing case; two other men John Pham's attorney, Dustyn Coontz, said he hasn't seen any evidence indicating his client hazed new fraternity members resulting in physical harm. Greek Life is also partnered with MSU's Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Prevention Program, Alexander said. When asked if their family believes Danny was hazed, his father said, "Oh, 100%." Chelthenham said he believes this is the first time the prosecutors office has sought thefelony charge of hazing resulting in death. At MSU, the highest number of reported assaults occurred at Delta Kappa Epsilon. If the person youre talking to is not willing to listen to you then just call authority, Lin said. 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. 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. Hazing can include, but is not limited to, activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance that subjects the individual to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the physical health or safety of the individual, according to the code. Three MSU Fraternity Members Face Felony Charge Over Phat Nguyen - TFNL The MSU chapter of Delta Chi declined to comment. Both suspensions are listed as temporary pending the results of an investigation into the Michigan State fraternity death of Phat Nguyen. if (bMobile) 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. The victim of the Michigan State fraternity death has been identified as Phat Nguyen. 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 . 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 that the difficulty of establishing whether or not the accused had used drugs or alcohol when the assault occurred, comes with when the report comes into us, Gonzalez said. They could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted. 2023 www.lansingstatejournal.com. Sigma Phi Epsilon is not an active chapter on campus. 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. Three of theindividuals received medical care at Sparrow Hospital and werereleased.