United States: A Virginia university has agreed to pay a nearly $1 million settlement to the family members of a 19-year-old student who died after a fraternity hazing incident that took place in which he was forced to drink a large bottle of whiskey.
A Fairfax County judge signed off on the agreement between Virginia Commonwealth University as well as the family of freshman Adam Oakes, who died of alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi Frat party on February 27, 2021.
Moreover, in addition to the $995,000 payment, the school agreed to implement reforms to the fraternity as well as sorority life, it said in a statement on Friday.
These include new measures to stop hazing, such as prohibiting alcohol at Greek life parties attended by new members. Students must also complete about 12 credits, attend member education, and meet other requirements before joining a fraternity or sorority.
In a joint statement, the family and school stated, “Nothing can take away the pain of losing someone so loved. Our agreement honours his memory, and our goal is that it will help save lives in the future.”
Oakes received a bid to join Delta Chi and attended the bash where he was going to be paired with a “big brother.”
He was informed to drink the bottle of liquor as part of his initiation and later passed out on a frat house couch, where he was found dead the following day.
The coroner’s office determined the cause of his death and the alcohol was poisoning.
Along with this, days later, the university and the Delta Chi national chapter suspended the local frat, ordering it to cease all activities. The fraternity was ultimately expelled in the month of June 2021.
Furthermore, in September, about eight students were also apprehended as well as charged with criminal hazing over Oakes’ death.
