Hazing Death at Chico State Causes Ripple Effects at Berkeley

Last week, Chico State witnessed its second fraternity-related death in three years. Interestingly enough, the house that was host to this debacle, Chi Tau, is a group that was expelled from both Chico State and its original national fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi, in 2002 following repeated alcohol rule violations in a crackdown linked to that year's hazing death at Chico.

What has the Berkeley administration done as of yet to cover its own tracks and prevent tragedies like these from occuring? The day after this year's death, officials from the Office of Student Life sent out emails detailing the tragedy and the administration's "zero tolerance" policy on hazing - a textbook reaction. The next few IFC, PHC, and NPHC meetings may be interesting if administrators poke their heads in to reassert authority and attempt to limit university liability. Interestingly enough, the "limited liability" argument seems to have failed here, since Chi Tau was not officially recognized by Chico State. This may give more weight to threats of splitting from IFC which have occasionally propagated since last semester's crackdown on fraternities.Email This Post!