Virginia Commonwealth University is moving to permanently ban its Delta Chi fraternity chapter after the death of a freshman in February, whose family alleges was the victim of an alcohol-fueled hazing incident.
Adam Oakes, 19, was found unresponsive hours after attending a fraternity party.
It is believed that he had received a bid to the Delta Chi fraternity the night before where he would receive his “big brother.”
The next day, the university and the fraternity’s headquarters suspended the chapter.
A review by the university’s Student Organization Conduct Committee is expected to be completed this summer, said Michael Porter, VCU’s associate vice president for public affairs.
“We believe [Delta Chi at VCU] has endangered the lives and safety of VCU students. It has never been held fully accountable for its actions until now."
The university said it will move forward with plans to issue a lifetime ban on Delta Chi if the allegations are found to be responsible for Oakes’ death.
A university spokesman said a Division of Student Affairs report recommends that the Delta Chi chapter be expelled “if reported allegations result in findings that it is responsible for misconduct” associated with Oakes’ death, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
“We believe [Delta Chi at VCU] has endangered the lives and safety of VCU students. It has never been held fully accountable for its actions until now,” Oakes’ cousin, Courtney White, told ABC affiliate station WRIC-TV in Richmond.
“Sadly, it took my cousin’s death for VCU to take a closer look at the fraternity, their operations and lengthy history of reckless behavior.”
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