A Virginia college has agreed to pay a virtually $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 choose 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 celebration on Feb. 27, 2021.
Along with the $995,000 cost, the college agreed to implement reforms to fraternity and sorority life, it said in a statement Friday.
These embrace a slew of latest measures aimed to cease hazing, resembling prohibiting alcohol at Greek life events attended by new members. College students should even have accomplished 12 credit, attend member training 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 cherished,” the household and faculty mentioned 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 college will create an on-campus memorial.
“It is a blueprint to foster a safer and more healthy group for college students 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 mentioned.
Oakes, who had obtained a bid to affix Delta Chi, attended the bash the place he was going to be paired with a “large 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 lifeless the subsequent morning.
The coroner’s workplace decided his reason for loss of life was alcohol poisoning.
Days after later, the college and the Delta Chi nationwide chapter suspended the local frat, ordering it to stop all actions. The fraternity was finally expelled in June 2021.
In September, eight college students were also arrested and charged with prison hazing over Oakes’ loss of life.
“Adam was a beloved son, grandson, nephew, cousin, pupil and good friend,” the joint assertion from his household and VCU mentioned. “He had an amazing future forward of him and his mindless loss of life introduced unspeakable ache and tragedy to all who knew him.”
With Put up wires
