OSU student taken off life support
 

Barometer
Oregon State University
March 7, 2002

OSU student taken off life support

Dean of Students Rich Shintaku hopes the incident will be a
"teachable moment" to educate students about risk behaviors

By SARAH LINN
Barometer City Editor

Oregon State student Spencer Haugh was taken off life support
Wednesday after remaining in critical condition since his fall from a
fraternity house fire escape late Friday.

As of press time, Haugh remained in critical condition.

Haugh, 20, suffered severe head and spinal injuries after he fell
from a second-story fire escape at Kappa Sigma, where he was visiting.

According to Capt. Bob Deutsch of the Corvallis Police Department,
the junior art major from Gresham was apparently sitting on the thin,
metal railing of the fire escape when he fell backward over the
railing.

Haugh's blood-alcohol level was above .20 - twice the level at which
drivers are considered legally drunk in Oregon.

Corvallis officers continue to investigate the fall, which officers
think was accidental.

Haugh is currently at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland in the
traumatic and intensive care unit. He was transferred there Saturday
from Corvallis' Good Samaritan Hospital.

OSU Dean of Students Rich Shintaku visited Haugh's family Tuesday
morning at the hospital. He said that many family members had flown
in to spend time with Haugh.

"I wanted to be there to express my support," said Shintaku, who took
office in August 2001.

A number of OSU students and friends have also journeyed to Haugh's
Gresham home to show their support of Spencer.

"The decision was made to take Spencer off life support, and at this
point it's a matter of time before he passes on," Shintaku said.

Spencer's mother, Kathryn Haugh, expressed her concern for her son's
fellow students and friends, who may be going through a difficult
time. University Counseling and Psychological Services is offering
counseling and support for students.

Haugh, who is not a fraternity member, transferred to OSU this fall
from Spokane Falls Community College. His brother, nuclear
engineering graduate student Brandon Haugh, and girlfriend also
attend Oregon State.

Shintaku said that the university hopes to use the incident as a
"teachable moment" to educate students about risk behaviors.

"We need to have some campus conversations," Shintaku said, adding
that the university will explore other potential risk management that
was in place.

"You've got to take a look wholistically at all behaviors - not just
alcohol use - that could be a risk and learn to manage them," he said.

He would also like to examine Kappa Sigma's risk management program.

Shintaku said that a memorial service may be organized by family and
friends to honor Haugh.

"He touched a number of students on campus and I think (the incident)
affects us on campus as showing how precious life is," Shintaku said.
"It is a loss for all of us as members of the OSU community."

It's just very sad that someone so young had to be taken off life support. The Dean of Students is talking about this student as if he had died already. There is something disturbing about that. The whole situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
What do you think, James? "Teachable moment" doesn't seem to be the most compassionate thing that someone can say.

Well accidents do happen regardless of whether or not you are Greek. More importantly, I am sure his family is really hurting right now. Deciding whether or not to take a family member off life support is probably one of the hardest decisions you will ever make.

Pardon my French, but that Dean is a f@#ing asshole. This is not a "teachable moment" - it's a time to mourn someone whose life ended too soon. Something similar happened at Clarion right after I graduated - a KDR fell off the trestle into the river and basically, his death was taken and used for anti-alcohol policy purposes. I knew him, and I can tell you with no doubt, the LAST thing he would have wanted was for his death to be was an example and an excuse to enact Draconian policies - he would have probably just said "hey, I screwed up."

I hope this kid's parents rip the dean a new one for being so insensitive and cruel. My sympathies to the young man's family and friends.

From what I read, I think the Dean's comments were pretty compassionate . . .not especially sympathetic, but I think that he responsibly placed alcohol use within the category of all risk management policies, when he could have taken the opportunity to vilify all of our Greek organizations.

The right thing to do:

Associated Press
March 9, 2001

Fraternity goes dry after alcohol-related death

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- No alcohol will be allowed, at least temporarily,
at the fraternity where an Oregon State University student died after
falling from a fire escape.

Spencer M. Haugh, 20, died Thursday after he was taken off life
support. The Gresham junior had a blood-alcohol content of .20 when
he fell while visiting the Kappa Sigma house last Friday.

He had been drinking with others at the house, but was not a member
of the fraternity.

Police said Haugh was rocking back and forth on a railing when he
fell, landing on a concrete patio. He suffered head and spinal
injuries.

Eric Dickey, an OSU graduate and Kappa Sigma's spokesman, said the
fraternity members decided as a group to remain dry for the time
being.

"There's been no concrete decision (to make the house permanently
dry)," he said. "I wouldn't rule it out, but any thing right now is a
possibility."

Corvallis Police Capt. Jon Sassaman said investigators are still
trying to determine if charges will be made.

Damage control through proactive appeasement. How quaint.

Maybe it will work for them, but it will certainly feed into the spin the administration wants to put on the accident.

Its amazing how administrators and legislatures like to hold dead bodies up as banners to justify stricter rules and control people's behaviors.

I can see the Dean of Students sadly shaking his head at the irresponsibility of students in the face of the numerous educational workshops given on alcohol.

But, at least the death of the man gives the Dean a "teachable moment", because obviously there weren't any other moments that seemed convenient to prompt him to have more alcohol awareness. :rolleyes:

I wonder if the Dean knows what he said could open himself up to a possible lawsuit from the young man's familly. No one's death should be seen as a learning experence for others. I find the comments cold and caulous.

TG

James,

Don't let your anger at the stupidity of the comment by the dean cloud your thoughts and comments on the action(s) taken by the chapter.

It may be that it was done for damage control, but it also may be that they are feeling contrite over the loss of someone they obviously knew and liked.

It could also be that the action is a cynical attempt to deflect criticism, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt until I see what they do after the smoke clears.

In any event, I'll repeat that it was the correct action -- maybe the only one they could take.

The Dean's words are unfortunate, in that he wants to use this as an example for students to learn from. In a few months when the situation wasn't as raw, these words might be a bit more appropriate.

As for the fraternity's actions, it's good that they've taken some action, but maybe they should've taken the action before this happened. For instance, stop serving someone who's visibly intoxicated. I'm sorry, but someone with a BAL of +.2 is visibly intoxicated. And why didn't someone see him sitting on the railing and think, that's dangerous! He may not be a brother of their chapter, but maybe instead of going dry they should learn a system to protect the folks that they are serving alcohol to.

I am sorry if this seems harsh...just my .02 on a topic I've had too much experience with.

I'm a student here at OSU, freshman. There have been quite a few times this year when alcohol has been a factor and a news item. One house had a $200,000 Fine at the start of the year. We have a large greek presence on campus, well over 23 fraternites, and close to 13 sororities. Unfortunately the events of the year have lead to about 12 of the fraternities to go dry. There is a growing push on our campus for dry environments, which I support in some ways, and dont support in other ways.

I would just like to state the support of the students here at OSU and of the greek community for the family and friends for Spencer Haugh.

God Bless!

-Fish
Pledge at KOFiji
Oregon State University

Generally, dry house, means wet parties off campus with increased risk. A couple colleges have gotten some flak for that by making their campuses dry. The students go off campus and enough have gotten DUI's to be noticed. When before they would mostly just stagger home on their feet.

So by all means go dry. Its nice media point. *shrug*

With all respect, when our house re-opened in 1997, we were the first substance free house on campus, by choice. Yes, some partying does go on, but we have very strong values in that sence, and we do practice what we stand for.

My respect for Spencer Haugh
 

My name is Mike Allen from the FIJI house @ OSU. I am next door to the scene where Spencer Haugh happened to have the accident. I just wanted to show my respect to his family and friends for what happened. He was a great man and it is unfortunate that things like this had to happen. May all go well for his family and may better things come to them.

As being a dry house I would have to agree with Scott Fish, (Fishn4FIJI) because I too am in a dry house with him and it is such a good thing to have a dry house. Yeah it may seem like it wouldn;t be fun because no "wet" parties but you can still have fun without the alchohol in the house. Anyways, best of luck to Spencer Haugh's family. And I also feel the pain for the Kappa Sigs. May your house also be comforted for what happened.

I must not have been very clear in my post. I am not doubting that when a house goes dry it stays dry.

I am acknowledging the trend to take the parties off campus to unoffical houses, bars, and apartments. Same behaviors with different locations and different risks.

What values does your fraternity profess that denies you responsible fun or the possession of alcohol in your own domicile?

I'm with the Kat on this one - maybe my Brothers could have not served the minor to begin with.

Our fraternity is based on 5 core values.
* Friendship
* Knowledge
* Service
* Morality
* Excellence

Our values reflect in our actions. I must admit that being dry does make it much easier to uphold the values, such as friendship and morality. I say this because the friendship our house has is not a "liquid brotherhood." Alcohol is not allowed on our house property, so this does protect us somewhat from incidents relating to alcohol in or around our house. As for responsible fun, that is exactly what is an underlying value what we share as a house. Not only do we have a responsible house environment, but we also are responsible when we are out having fun. I know that many other houses share this same concept, including KE. I hope I answered your question.
James; were/are you part of a Fraternity?

-fish

I don't get it - what does dry, damp or wet housing have to do with upholding morality?? Any fraternity man should conduct himself honorably no matter his living arrangements. Or are you saying you couldn't handle yourselves when alcohol was available in the house? The way you put it just sounds really bad to me.

As for that liquid brotherhood comment - if your chapter has found that a dry house works for you, that's fine. But do not intimate that those groups who have not chosen the dry housing option are only together for the beer, or have an inferior brotherhood. It's arrogant, insulting and just plain untrue.

All that I was simply saying was that with the absence of Alcohol, It is much easier to up hold the morals and standards that individuals and houses as a whole hold dear.
Houses that do choose to have Alcohol be a part of thier house environment are not inferior by any measure, and I didnt mean to convey that. Undoubtly, there are houses that do have a liquid brother hood, whether that is good or not, I choose not to be in a house where that is present. I wasnt bashing other houses, I was just saying how my decision to be part of a dry house makes it a better environment for me, socially, and academically.
-Fish

:eek:

Associated Press
March 15, 2002

Man charged in student's death

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- A 21-year-old has been charged with supplying
alcohol to minors after an Oregon State University student died when
he fell from a fire escape at a fraternity. Spencer M. Haugh, 20, of
Gresham, died March 7 after he was taken off life support. He had a
blood-alcohol content of .20 when he fell while visiting the Kappa
Sigma house the previous weekend.

Haugh was visiting the fraternity and was not a member.

Joshua Wilson, of Corvallis, was arrested Wednesday and released,
Corvallis police Lt. Ron Noble said. He was charged with holding a
party for minors.

It was not clear if Wilson is a student at Oregon State or a member
of the fraternity.

The investigation is continuing.

I have a question for any/all.
How do you think that this incident would be/have been viewed if this young man fell from a porch or fire escape at a friend's apartment, and not a fraternity house?

To me it is just as likely to happen, but because it happened at a fraternity house, there is this "greater need" to be aware.

I wonder if the dean would have thought it still be a "teachable moment" had no greek org. been involved in any way.

Blaine

I think you're proabably on to something here Blaine. It would be a tragedy nevertheless, but probably would not garner the attention of the dean beyond a factual "tragic accident" comment. Perception is reality, and the perception is that this kind of thing happens more often at our houses than it does outside of them. That is the image we must act on.

Brad

I'm not sure I agree, simply because of the kind of accident it was. If the man had been walking across the street and hit by a car, maybe the Dean wouldn't have commented.

It's kind of like "Dog bites man," isn't a story but, "Man bites dog," is. One car hitting another (with no injuries) is not news, but a car hitting a house (again with no injuries) is.

Not arguing that it's right, but the uniqueness (although this happens more often than we might think -- falls at houses, that is) makes it stand out.

In any event, due to that, I think the coverage would probably have happened whether this particular incident was at a fraternity house or not.