The family of a University of Washington student who recently cracked his skull open while three sheets to the wind is apparently trying to sue his fraternity.
The claim is one of wrongful death. The family readily acknowledges that the student made the decision to drink, but that the emphasis on alcohol at a fraternity party led him to drink irresponsibly. It doesn’t help that no one saw the 19-year-old fall. He could have fallen; he could have been pushed (doubtful, but possible) or could have jumped–any of which also doesn’t necessarily have to be alcohol-related.
I hope these people lose their shirts. They claim that their suit is designed to shift the focus of fraternity parties away from alcohol. If that’s the case, why not launch an actual campaign to that end? (Fat chance, anyway–no group of college students, Greek or otherwise, is going to sit around drinking bug juice and playing Donkey Party.) How is cleaning out Pi Kappa Phi’s coffers going to keep anyone from drinking? Rather than hanging a mourning wreath–too old fashioned, I’m sure– the family is wearing its litigiousness on its sleeve.
A similar event occurred last year at the University of Maryland. Again, the fraternity was to blame. Why? Having belonged to a fraternity (and indeed, being a member of the Century Club–the 100 beer shots in 100 minutes game that ostensibly killed the young Washingtonian), I can’t see that alcohol consumption is distinctly greater per imbiber at fraternity parties than it is at non-fraternity parties.
It is the fashion now to blame anybody but oneself for any misfortune. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and this kid could have gotten just as bombed and taken a 30-foot spill whether he’d pledged a fraternity or not.
The good, simple people of Middle America should move beyond their wide-mouthed, bluestockinged terror of the Greek system and teach their own damned children how to drink responsibly. By the time an American citizen reaches nineteen, he is able to vote in general elections, and should certainly know his limits when drinking.
The claim is one of wrongful death. The family readily acknowledges that the student made the decision to drink, but that the emphasis on alcohol at a fraternity party led him to drink irresponsibly. It doesn’t help that no one saw the 19-year-old fall. He could have fallen; he could have been pushed (doubtful, but possible) or could have jumped–any of which also doesn’t necessarily have to be alcohol-related.
I hope these people lose their shirts. They claim that their suit is designed to shift the focus of fraternity parties away from alcohol. If that’s the case, why not launch an actual campaign to that end? (Fat chance, anyway–no group of college students, Greek or otherwise, is going to sit around drinking bug juice and playing Donkey Party.) How is cleaning out Pi Kappa Phi’s coffers going to keep anyone from drinking? Rather than hanging a mourning wreath–too old fashioned, I’m sure– the family is wearing its litigiousness on its sleeve.
A similar event occurred last year at the University of Maryland. Again, the fraternity was to blame. Why? Having belonged to a fraternity (and indeed, being a member of the Century Club–the 100 beer shots in 100 minutes game that ostensibly killed the young Washingtonian), I can’t see that alcohol consumption is distinctly greater per imbiber at fraternity parties than it is at non-fraternity parties.
It is the fashion now to blame anybody but oneself for any misfortune. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and this kid could have gotten just as bombed and taken a 30-foot spill whether he’d pledged a fraternity or not.
The good, simple people of Middle America should move beyond their wide-mouthed, bluestockinged terror of the Greek system and teach their own damned children how to drink responsibly. By the time an American citizen reaches nineteen, he is able to vote in general elections, and should certainly know his limits when drinking.
posted by Daniel | 3:06 PM
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