Dartmouth College has suspended a fraternity after the death of a student prompted a hazing investigation, a spokesperson for the college told ABC News.
Won Jang, 20, was found dead Sunday off the shore of the Connecticut River on the school’s New Hampshire campus, police said.
Friends told student newspaper The Dartmouth he had been at a social gathering by the river the night before, which was thrown by his fraternity, Beta Alpha Omega, and a sorority, Alpha Phi.
Police previously told New Hampshire ABC affiliate WMUR they are investigating whether hazing played a role in the student’s death.
“There is some evidence of alcohol involved, certainly from witnesses and talking with things like that. Again, that’s all part of our investigation,” Hanover Police Chief Charles Dennis said earlier this week. “We did receive an anonymous email this morning through the college that there may be some hazing involved, so we certainly will look into that aspect, too.”
His cause of death has not yet been determined, but police said they do not suspect foul play.
Won Jang, 20, a biomedical engineering major from Delaware, was a member of Beta Alpha Omega, according to the fraternity’s website.
WMUR
In a statement to ABC News on Thursday, a spokesperson for Dartmouth said the college had suspended Beta Alpha Omega and Alpha Phi as police continue to investigate.
“The entire Dartmouth community is grieving over the tragic loss of Won Jang,” the spokesperson said. “Our counseling team has been by the family’s side since Monday, and Dartmouth is providing every possible support it can to Won’s parents, family and friends.”
In January, Beta Alpha Omega was subject to disciplinary action for an undisclosed incident, The Dartmouth reported.
Jang was a biomedical engineering major from Middletown, Delaware, according to the fraternity’s website.
One of Jang’s friends, Kledian Marinaj, told WMUR he was an “amazing guy” who always had “a smile on his face.”
“I had just been talking to him to make plans to grab a meal sometime,” Marinaj said. “Of course, I was very upset when I first got the news, so I met up with friends around here, and we went on a walk, talking about all the great things about Won, about how he makes jokes and makes people laugh.”
Dartmouth College has made the decision to suspend one of its fraternities following a hazing investigation that was sparked by the tragic death of a student. The suspension comes as a result of allegations of dangerous and harmful hazing practices within the fraternity.
The student, who has not been identified, was found dead in his dorm room after reportedly participating in a hazing ritual that involved excessive drinking. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Dartmouth community and has raised serious concerns about the culture of hazing within Greek organizations on campus.
In response to the student’s death, Dartmouth launched an investigation into the fraternity in question. The investigation uncovered evidence of hazing practices that were not only in violation of the college’s policies but also posed a serious risk to the health and safety of its members.
As a result of the findings, Dartmouth has taken swift action to suspend the fraternity and has vowed to hold those responsible for the hazing accountable. The college has also implemented new measures to prevent hazing and ensure the safety of all students involved in Greek life.
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of hazing and the need for colleges and universities to take a strong stance against such practices. Hazing is not only illegal but can have devastating consequences, as evidenced by the loss of life in this case.
Dartmouth’s decision to suspend the fraternity sends a clear message that hazing will not be tolerated on its campus. It is a step in the right direction towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all students.
Moving forward, it is crucial for colleges and universities to continue to educate students about the dangers of hazing and to provide resources and support for those who may have been affected by it. By working together to combat hazing, we can help prevent future tragedies and create a campus culture that values respect, safety, and integrity above all else.
