A Virginia college has agreed to pay an almost $1 million settlement to the household of a 19-year-old pupil who died after a fraternity hazing incident the place he was pressured to drink a big bottle of whiskey.
A Fairfax County decide signed off on the settlement between Virginia Commonwealth College and the household of freshman Adam Oakes – who died of alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi frat occasion on Feb. 27, 2021.
Along with the $995,000 cost, the varsity additionally agreed to implement reforms to fraternity and sorority life, it stated in a press release Friday.
These embody a slew of latest measures aimed to cease hazing, corresponding to prohibiting alcohol at Greek life events attended by new members. College students should even have accomplished 12 credit, attend member schooling and meet different necessities earlier than they’ll be a part of a frat or sorority.
“Nothing can take away the ache of shedding somebody so beloved,” the household and faculty stated in a joint assertion, including, “Our settlement honors his reminiscence, and our purpose is that it’ll assist save lives sooner or later.”
VCU designated Feb. 27 as annual hazing prevention day, in addition to a day of remembrance for Oakes – for whom the varsity will create an on-campus memorial.
“It is a blueprint to foster a safer and more healthy neighborhood for college kids who’re a part of fraternities and sororities and to create a local weather of respect and inclusion that’s wanted for tutorial success,” the assertion stated.
Oakes, who had obtained a bid to affix Delta Chi, attended the bash the place he was going to be paired with a “massive brother.” He was informed to drink the bottle of liquor as a part of his initiation, and later handed out on a frat home sofa, the place he was discovered useless the subsequent morning.
The coroner’s workplace decided his reason for demise was alcohol poisoning.
Days after later, the college and the Delta Chi nationwide chapter suspended the native frat, ordering it to stop all actions. The fraternity was in the end expelled in June 2021.
In September, eight college students had been additionally arrested and charged with prison hazing over Oakes’ demise.
“Adam was a beloved son, grandson, nephew, cousin, pupil and buddy,” the joint assertion from his household and VCU stated. “He had an incredible future forward of him and his mindless demise introduced unspeakable ache and tragedy to all who knew him.”
With Publish wires
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