Drake Investigation: Phi Delta Theta New Member Hospitalized (Alcohol)
 

Reportedly, a new member of Phi Delta Theta at Drake was hospitalized recently with a very high blood alcohol content. Phi Delt has suspended the chapter's social events and its new member programming. The university and Phi Delta are investigating.
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Phi Delta Theta statement, from its IHQ site:

http://www.phideltatheta.org/index.p...d=907&Itemid=9
Excerpt:

Early Sunday morning, November 8, Nathan Erickson, a new member of the Iowa Delta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Drake University, was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines Iowa by ambulance after he was found unresponsive at an off-campus residence by a member of the fraternity.

Since learning of the incident, Phi Delta Theta officials have been working in conjunction with Drake University and local alumni officers to conduct a thorough investigation. The chapter’s operations, specifically relating to social programming and new member education, have been suspended during the course of the investigation by Phi Delta Theta.

“First and foremost, we are concerned about Nathan and we hope he has a full and speedy recovery from this incident. We are currently investigating the details of the incident to determine who was involved. After our investigation is complete, the chapter and all individuals involved will be held accountable for their actions,” said Bob Biggs, Executive Vice President. . . .

Des Moines Register article:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/art...0378/1001/NEWS

Two students have reportedly been charged:
http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-...0,794674.story


Police report, courtesy of The Smoking Gun:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive...0092frat1.html

And a slightly different Des Moines Register story, with some quotes from a local alum:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/art...0006/-1/LIFE04

Damn...on the bright side the kid is still alive, but knowing Phi Delt's alcohol policies that chapter's days are probably numbered if its discovered they played an active role in the incident. Of all the things a GLO can get in trouble for, alcohol violations seem the most stupid to me because they are far and away one of the most easily preventable.

Yeah it is incidents like this that make all us look bad. Kid is lucky that he is still alive with a BAC of .5. I didn't think that was survivable.

Update: A little more background on the Drake incident and investigation

The Associated Press reports:

http://wcco.com/wireapnewsia/Drake.o...2.1307750.html

excerpt:

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) ― Drake University says a fraternity under investigation for alleged hazing in an alcohol-poisoning case was already on probation for alcohol violations.

The Phi Delta Theta chapter admitted to a peer governing group that members hosted an off-campus party in August for freshmen and fraternity members where alcohol was served. Greek houses are not allowed to have parties for freshmen or potential new members before recruitment, which began in September.

Drake spokeswoman Lisa Lacher says the chapter was put on social probation, which means it can't hold any events with alcohol at any off-campus locations through March 15.

A 19-year-old Phi Delta Theta member was hospitalized last Sunday with a blood-alcohol content of nearly six times the legal limit for drunken driving.
. . .

Update November 17, 2009

Station WHOTV has a brief story on its site saying that Phi Delta Theta has been closed at Drake. Reportedly the chapter might return in four years.

See:

http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-...,7307895.story

WHO Staff Writer
November 17, 2009

The days of Phi Delta Theta at Drake University are done for four years after an alleged hazing incident led to the near fatal alcohol poisoning of a pledge.

The punishment stems from the alcohol poisoning of a Phi Delta Theta pledge . . . on November 8th. Nineteen-year old Nathan Erickson . . . . was hospitalized with a blood-alcohol level of .50.

Two fraternity members, Skylar Otto and Joseph Hatchett, are charged with misdemeanor hazing in relation to the incident.

An official announcement is on Phi Delt's IHQ site:

Oxford, Ohio, November 17 - On Friday, November 13, 2009, The General Council of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity voted to suspend the charter of the Iowa Delta chapter at Drake University. In addition, the university has withdrawn recognition of Phi Delta Theta as a student organization. This decision was made after an investigation that uncovered violations of the Fraternity risk management policies in regard to alcohol and hazing.

Members of the former chapter currently living in the facility will be offered university housing for the remainder of the year, but must move out of the chapter house no later than November 30, 2009.

“The General Council regrets the need to take this most serious form of action; however, it is felt the best way to ensure a bright future on the Drake University campus is to suspend the charter until a time when Phi Delta Theta can return to campus,” said Jacob Kingdon, Director of Chapter Services. “We plan to return in four years with a new group of students that will be in alignment with the values of the Fraternity.”

. . .

Edited to Add:

And from:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/app...D=200991116039

Interesting portion of an article in the Des Moines Register; good thinking, smart action by one of the chapter officers, apparently:

Alexander Timm, who lives at the house, came home and found Erickson “gurgling” on the couch and unresponsive, police said. Timm, the Phi Delta Theta treasurer, called 911 and likely saved Erickson’s life, said Des Moines Sgt. Lori Lavorato, a police spokeswoman. . . .

Tell me why?
 

Tell me whyyy two sit in jail,
Tell me whyyy his breathing failed;
Tell me why he looks so blue,
He texted why, Now I'll tell you.
Because he blewewww point five oh oh,
While Active brothers yelled, go, go, go!
Because he wore a Phikea pin,
That is the reason, they nearly, killed him...:eek:

A jolly crew of Phis were we, we're hosed, we're hosed, we're hosed!
We used to sail upon the sea we're closed, we're closed, we're closed!
But we can manage Jewett Hall and Exchange with Morehouse gals,
And navigate upon the web with all our new dorm pals.
For we were the toughest crew of lads that ever reefed a sail,
We love the taste of Everclear - we mix it in pledge ale.
And when his breathing stopped, 911 came rolling hiiiigh...
Let all the new brothers wave bye to each other, the sunken Good Ship Phi, hey!

Did you make those up or find them? While inappropriate for the situation at hand I must say they're quite creative.

Inappropriate sums many of my fine memories at Iowa Delta chapter. If the poor lad had died, I wouldn't have written those. We lived a fine line of hard-partying and possible death by poisoning or automobiles back then during the pre-AIDS era. The House will be missed. I always thought the chapter would end in a house fire first - not an incident like this. Is this Preston who "will mouth" what he likes on this seemingly empty forum? Though separated by cyberspace....

Feb. 2010 Update on Charges, Plea Bargain, and Chapter Closure

From a regional new source's site:

http://www.timesdelphic.com/2010/02/...-final-chapter