Big Brother Night at IU PiKPhi: one pledge hospitalized

hoosier · #1 10-11-2003, 04:23 PM

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IU frat suspended over alcohol use

Associated Press
October 11, 2003
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- An Indiana University fraternity has been suspended for allowing a student to drink so much alcohol during a pledge event he was hospitalized afterward with alcohol poisoning.
IU Dean of Students Dick McKaig suspended Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on Friday, banning it from taking part in campus activities or sponsoring chapter functions.
McKaig said the fraternity could face additional sanctions.
The national Pi Kappa Phi organization also suspended the Indiana University chapter this week over the same incident.
IU's action arose from an Oct. 3 incident in which fraternity members took a severely intoxicated student to Bloomington Hospital for treatment for alcohol poisoning.
According to McKaig and Bloomington police reports, an investigation found that the 19-year-old student, who was pledging the fraternity, was drinking earlier that night during a house event called Big Brother Night.
Some fraternity members initially denied there was alcohol use at the house, according to an IU police report. But after further investigation, they admitted there was, the report said.
Three of the students were cited for false informing and two people were cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor, the police report said.
McKaig said individual students could be subject to campus disciplinary action ranging from a reprimand to expulsion.
The national Pi Kappa Phi organization, based in Charlotte, N.C., issued a statement saying it had suspended the IU chapter and its members were cooperating with investigators.
The IU chapter of the fraternity was founded in November 1947 and has had more than 1,000 members over the years.

James · #2 10-11-2003, 04:55 PM

They are sending a clear message here.

Since the vast majority of people that consume alcohol even until unconsciousness don't die, don't take your inebriated pledges to the Emergency Room.

It will get you in trouble.

FSUZeta · #3 10-11-2003, 07:16 PM

james i was thinking the same thing. while the 19 year old shouldn't have been furnished with alcohol, those kids might have saved his life by taking him to the hospital. it's a catch -22.

Tom Earp · #4 10-12-2003, 11:07 PM

Wow, what a mind set!

Do not get in trouble, let a friend/Brother die instead!

Yep me to, I dont want to get in trouble for letting someone get overly drunk and die!

madmax · #5 12-03-2003, 02:53 PM

Any lawyers out there?

Isn't the hospital violating confidentiality laws by releasing the information in the first place?

DeltAlum · #6 12-03-2003, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by madmax
Any lawyers out there?

Isn't the hospital violating confidentiality laws by releasing the information in the first place?

I'm not a lawyer, but that's a good question.

I think that in the case where a doctor suspects a "crime" may have been committed they are required to report it to the police. Same as in domestic violence cases, etc.

As for James' comment, I think the message that is really being sent is that alcohol violations are being taken seriously. It's way to dangerous not to intercede and get medical attention -- no matter what the stats show.

Rudey · #7 12-03-2003, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I'm not a lawyer, but that's a good question.

I think that in the case where a doctor suspects a "crime" may have been committed they are required to report it to the police. Same as in domestic violence cases, etc.

As for James' comment, I think the message that is really being sent is that alcohol violations are being taken seriously. It's way to dangerous not to intercede and get medical attention -- no matter what the stats show.

I don't think I can go to a hospital with a broken eye socket or a hole in my side and say I hit a door knob so maybe it's the same thing.

This does not encourage people to not take someone to the hospital. If it does, then the deaths from pledges dying in a house after drinking should be encouraging them to go to the hospital or to just not haze.

-Rudey
--Sad that houses across the country are calling their hell nights "big brother night"/"brotherhood night"/etc.

Tom Earp · #8 12-03-2003, 06:21 PM

Yo Rudey,

not to give you stuff Bro, But even I did not understand that post.

Life and death is a dire situation no matter what.

It should never have happened as We all take the heat for it. It has been proven in to few cases tho, that deaths do occure not from hazing but of health defects that no one knew about. The stigma is still there that hangs a cloud over our head because They Had A Greek Letter after their name!

The shit happens attitude is lost for ever along with Boys/Girls will just be that!

Oh, yes Doctors Are Required by Law to report these type of situations ASAP! Dont or lose Medical License!

madmax · #9 12-03-2003, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I'm not a lawyer, but that's a good question.

I think that in the case where a doctor suspects a "crime" may have been committed they are required to report it to the police. Same as in domestic violence cases, etc.

Maybe. If hospitals are required to report certain things why is college given that information and why is any information given out when the person suspected of drinking is over the age of 21?

I know hospitals are required to report certain things like gunshots and suspected child abuse but I think they are breaking some sort of doctor patient privelege if they are giving out confidential information to a university administrator/greek advisor.

PsychTau · #10 12-03-2003, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by madmax
Maybe. If hospitals are required to report certain things why is college given that information and why is any information given out when the person suspected of drinking is over the age of 21?

I know hospitals are required to report certain things like gunshots and suspected child abuse but I think they are breaking some sort of doctor patient privelege if they are giving out confidential information to a university administrator/greek advisor.

I didn't read that the doctor gave the info to the greek advisor....there was a police report which isn't privledged info. That's probably where the university was notified. I don't know why the university police filed the report, though....unless IU has a med center on campus.

The other side of the coin is that the student may have given the doctor permission to report it. He may have seen it as his way out of pledging a chapter that wasn't living up to his expectations. Who knows?

PsychTau