Serious charges were leveled today against 18 student members of Beta Theta Pi in the death of Tim Piazza following an alcohol-related fall.
Author: Hank Nuwer
Journalist Hank Nuwer tracks hazing deaths in fraternities and schools. Nuwer is the Alaska author of Hazing: Destroying Young Lives; Broken Pledges: The Deadly Rite of Hazing, High School Hazing, Wrongs of Passage and The Hazing Reader. In April of 2024 and April 2025 , the Alaska Press Club awarded him first place in the Best Columnist division.
He has written articles or columns on hazing for the Sunday Times of India, Toronto Globe & Mail, Harper's Magazine, Orlando Sentinel, The Chronicle of Higher Education and the New York Times Sunday Magazine. His current book is Hazing: Destroying Young Lives from Indiana University Press. He is married to Malgorzata Wroblewska Nuwer of Fairbanks, Alaska. Nuwer is a former columnist for the Greenville (Ohio)Early Bird and former managing editor of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Alaska.
Nuwer was named the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists columnist of the year in 2021 for his “After Darke” column in the Early Bird. He also won third place for the column in 2022 from the Indiana chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He and his wife Gosia, recently of Union City, Ind., have owned 20 acres in Alaska for many years. “The move is a sort-of coming home for us,” said Nuwer. As a journalist, he’s written about the Alaskan Iditarod sled-dog race and other Alaska topics. Read his musings in his blog at Real Alaska Daily--http://realalaskadaily.com
To read the new study, click here for full paper.
Research Report on the CU-Boulder Greek Community as a Potential Target Audience for the Women’s Basketball Team by Sami Elkan, Natalie Greening, Jenna Speiser, Lucas Lorenz, Alec Aichenger, Taylor Thostenson
… Kuta, S. (2015, Aug. 21). Boulder Fraternities and CU sororities: Greek life for Buffs. Colorado Daily
Nuwer, Hank (1999) Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking.
Indiana University Press. Page 22. The Greek Decision. (2007, Aug 05)
Nuwer, Hank (1999) Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking.
Indiana University Press. Page 22. The Greek Decision. (2007, Aug 05)
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe how the CU-Boulder Greek community was studied as a potential target market for Women’s Basketball games. We investigate factors that influence the Greek community to attend sporting events, their perceptions of the Women’s Basketball team, and the importance of traditions to the Greek community. The study found that Greek members are more inclined to attend women’s basketball games when provided free food and spirit points through short interviews, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and an online questionnaire with data analysis. We recommend that a portion of the women’s basketball marketing budget goes to advertising and event planning targeted at the Greek community and two Greek themed women’s basketball events based on descriptive statistics and statistical tests.
Here is background from the UNR Sagebrush, which I used to be an editor of as a student–Moderator Hank Nuwer
The University of Nevada, Reno, announced Tuesday, Dec. 20 that it has banned the Sigma Nu fraternity from campus for 15 years.
The University’s Office of Student Conduct said in a statement that they made this decision because of violations of the University Student Code of Conduct, the 2016 Relationship Agreement for the Recognition for Social Fraternities and Sororities and the University of Nevada, Reno Residence Based Alcohol Policy.
The University Student Code of Conduct states that the university has the right to investigate and address student conduct issues in incidents that happen in off-campus buildings of organizations that are related to the university.
“At the University of Nevada, Reno our goal is to educate students in a healthy, safe and secure environment,” a UNR said in that statement. “Our policies and Student Code of Conduct are clear: conduct that endangers the health or safety of any member or guest of the University cannot be tolerated.”
The decision follows the investigation into Sigma Nu by the Office of Student Conduct after a freshman pledge, Ryan Abele, sustained injuries from falling down stairs in the fraternity house that eventually caused him to lose his life in October.
Sigma Nu has 10 days to appeal or accept the decision. If they want to appeal it, they will have to request a hearing in front of the Student Conduct Hearing Board. They will remain in interim suspension until they have reached a conclusion.
The UNR Police Services investigated the incident when Abele was in the hospital and found there was not any foul play.
“We responded to the hospital after receiving a call from them that this young man had fallen down stairs,” said Assistant Chief Todd Renwick to the East Bay Times. “… We’ve looked into the incident, and it appears to just be an accident.”
Sigma Nu’s national office is also investigating the death of Abele and told UNR they will reach a decision about the Delta Xi chapter in January.
“The Fraternity’s investigation of the activities of the Delta Xi Chapter remains ongoing,” said Executive Director Brad Beacham in a statement released about UNR’s decision. “Upon completion of its investigation, the Fraternity will take whatever action may be appropriate. Sigma Nu Fraternity remains committed to its principles and to its mission of developing ethical leaders.”
Here is the link. Important presentations by Lianne Kowiak and Emma Kowiak, etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvWbqlopGw0&feature=share