According to the West Virginia student newspaper, WVU Kappa Sigma (Gamma Phi Chapter) pledge may have been participating in Big-Little Night, a benign event usually unless there is a traditional expectation that there will be a bottle exchange or “challenge to drink” with the expectation that the pledge will get wildly intoxicated. In that case, the line into a situation of criminal or perhaps non-criminal (depending on state statute) hazing has been crossed. Almost always, if a death occur, authorities will investigate the chapter treasurer and president, as well as the big brother, to see who furnished alcohol to an under-aged prospective member. At this stage, information is to scant to call this a hazing death.
Here is a brief report from the Boston Globe.
Excerpt:
An application for criminal charges against the students was filed Thursday, said Police Chief Steven Wojnar. Police acted after an investigation into an alleged off-campus hazing incident at the school in Dudley on Nov. 7, according to Wojnar and a statement from the school.
Less than one year ago, the Gamma Phi Chapter of WVU Kappa Sigma mourned the death of founding father Steven Telo. He was one of the young men who helped this chapter get back on campus 2007-2008. The chapter wrote in its tribute: “He played a pivotal role in instilling these values into young pledges and turning them into the gentlemen they aspired to become. Telo had the most contagious laugh and smile, and is truly loved and missed by all of us. He is forever in our honor and memories. We find comfort knowing he is now truly in the Light of God.”
However, news accounts report the arrest of a Steven Telo in 2011 and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.
Moderator MY condolences to the family of Nolan Burch and to his friends. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/death-west-virginia-university-student-frat-house-stuns-campus-n249001