CSU Death...An Important Lesson

[DeltAlum]

After so many comments about alcohol abuse, drugs and hazing, the following is an important lesson for all of us to remember.

It is another reason each chapter should stay in contact with local media and have spokespeople they can talk to.

While this situation is not necessarilly the rule, neither is it the exception.

And for the aspiring Journalism majors who may read this, remember it and keep in mind how stupid you will look if you jump to conclusions. Your job is to report facts, not speculation -- unless it is labeled as such.

Rocky Mountain Collegian
Colorado State University
October 16, 2001

EDITORIAL

Media speculation adds hype without evidence

Colorado State University lost a member of its family on a weekend dedicated to just that. Robert Harley Lane, a 20-year-old junior anthropology major, was found dead Saturday in his room at the Sigma Chi fraternity house.

As CSU's student-run newspaper, we feel the deepest sympathy for not only the loss of Lane's life and for his friends and loved ones coping with his death, but for the loss of any fellow Ram. And this is where an issue has arisen. Numerous students at CSU have passed away since the start of the fall semester for various reasons, but none have received the amount of statewide media attention as Lane.

This is an unsettling fact for a few of reasons. Although Sigma Chi
is a nationally-recognized organization and Lane was vice president of the Fort Collins chapter, these are probably not the only causes for the publicity. Only one reason comes to our minds as to why this has become such a big issue - the negative stereotypes placed on fraternities. For some time there has been an image surrounding fraternities - both nationally and here at CSU - concerning the abuse of alcohol among members and their associates.

Even the Collegian referred to Sigma Chi fraternity as a "frat" in
Monday's headline, a term many in the greek community find offensive and feel perpetuates the stereotype even more - even though that was not our intention.

Various Denver media and the Associated Press have chosen to report on Lane's death, highlighting the fact that he was a fraternity member while at the same time reporting the county coroner thinks Lane died of natural causes. They also reported Lane was last seen going out drinking with a friend on Thursday night, and the fact that he suffered from epileptic seizures "may have also" been a factor in his death.

The official cause of Lane's death won't be known until the coroner releases toxicology results sometime in the next week, which is why the we feel it is irresponsible to hype the story as a greek member possibly binge drinking himself death. Although there is still a possibility alcohol could be responsible for Lane's death, as of now, there is no real evidence to support the claim. The only known fact is that he went out for drinks with a friend on Thursday night, like thousands of other CSU students.

We feel the intense coverage by the media of this event has only
worked to further embellish the negative stereotypes surrounding fraternities. Much of the coverage, although quoting Lane's friends and mentioning some of the man's qualities, failed to focus on the loss of a young and promising life; instead it hinted at a possible controversy.

If there is an issue of controversy to report about, CSU students can be ensured they will read about it. But without any tangible
evidence, we feel it would be more appropriate to tell CSU the story of the fellow student who passed away recently, like we would for any fellow Ram.

If alcohol was a factor the media should report it, but they should
not unfairly insinuate unsubstantiated facts.

(C) 2001 Rocky Mountain Collegian

[Tom Earp]

Tom, read the same articles, and thought well here we go again!!!!!! They always assume because it was Us GREEKS it must have been BOOZE

If there was not a retraction, then the Greek Orgs Should ask for one!

But you being Communication Know it would never be retracted and if was buried so DAMN Far that No one would even see it!!!!!!

If bad we get Press and if Good, Good luck in getting it publicised

[DeltAlum]

Tom,

Most of what you say is true, however the important points, I think, are these:

"Where there's smoke, there (often) is fire." Greeks wouldn't have this overriding reputation for alcohol abuse if it weren't at least partially true. Many major studies have shown that. We've painted the target on ourselves.

Second, it is possible to get "good" press, but you have to work at it. You need to be sure to tell the media when you're doing something good. It won't always make it into print/airtime, but it often will. Someone in each chapter should be in charge of public relations and keep good contacts with local media.

Remember that media ALWAYS check with the police and fire department, etc. -- that's what their job is. They don't have the staff to check with everyone. Your good deeds won't automatically come to their attention, like your big problems will.

Finally, when there is a problem, the chapter should have a plan to handle it. Nobody but the chapter advisor, a spokesman from Nationals or other designated officer should talk to the media.

A good case in point is a couple years ago when a Delt at Ohio State died after taking GHB and drinking. The Delt Central Office immediately sent a team to Columbus, and the media coverage was more about the dangers of the drug than "Bad Fratboys." That took work. But it was a heck of a lot better than how the story would normally be reported.

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
"Where there's smoke, there (often) is fire." Greeks wouldn't have this overriding reputation for alcohol abuse if it weren't at least partially true. Many major studies have shown that. We've painted the target on ourselves.

I agree DA, and used to think it was ll our fault often, but then I came across this quote and its so true... (I think I posted this here before)

"Schools hold Greek organizations to a higher standard than other clubs on campus when it comes to alcohol. If someone gets really sick from alcohol and they're in a fraternity, every one of their brothers gets punished, even if the guy got sick half way across the world. Does this happen in any other campus organization? "A young man was rushed to the hospital after consuming five times the legal limit of alcohol. In response, the University has suspended the charter of his weightlifting group, shut down the sixth floor of the freshman dorm, and barred anyone from becoming a bio major again."

[clothesgirl]

I have to agree with lifesaver, but also point out that being international has to have it's downfalls, as well as its good points. We often protest that it is unfair that people hold all fraternities responsible for the actions of often one person. But we are not the only ones who deal with this. Thinks of, for example, police officers who deal with the stereo types of eating donuts, and being dishonest, or of doctors playing god. Yet both of these are fairly resected professions. With the good comes the bad, and with the public and media comes ignorance and miseducation.

[LXAAlum]

You have to admit...the past few years have been BRUTAL for CSU greeks....Alpha Phi, Sigma Kappa, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Lamdba Chi Alpha, Phi Kappa Tau, and several other well-established chapters have been closed. Admittedly, most organizations were to blame for their own downfall, but, the pattern is alarming.

[ashb316]

I am a student at CSU and would like to add that if I remember correctly, his death was not caused by alcohol. He was epileptic and had a siezure. Alcohol may have played some part, but I believe he had forgotten to take his medicine. I am not 100% possitive about that last part.