Spring Break
MSU to investigate underage drinking
Wednesday fraternity party prompts suspicion of underage alcohol comsumption
Lawrence Simmons
Issue date: 2/5/08 Section: News
The Mississippi State University chapter of Alpha Tau Omega faces investigation after underage drinking was reported Wednesday night at a party held at the campus fraternity house.
A student was taken to Oktibbeha County Hospital from Cresswell Hall Thursday at 2 a.m. on suspicion of alcohol poisoning, according to a report from the MSU Police Department.
The report is unclear as to whether this was related to the fraternity incident.
MSU police and student affairs officials have spoken with representatives of the local fraternity chapter and also contacted representatives from the national headquarters, according to the report.
"The residence hall staff noticed intoxicated students who had been at that event," vice president for student affairs Bill Kibler said in a report in the Clarion-Ledger. "They are trained to recognize and follow up on students who appear to be intoxicated."
Alcohol is a problem on the MSU campus, but is a significant problem for virtually every campus in the country, he said in an interview.
Wynn Smiley, ATO chief executive officer for the national fraternity, said the alleged incident does not go along with ATO ideals.
"We are looking at the allegations, but we do not condone underage drinking," Smiley said.
Smiley said he believes that in response to the incident, the chapter has done a good job.
"The chapter is responding appropriately after the fact, and the individuals involved are stepping up to the plate," he said. "It's about taking responsibility where responsibility can be taken."
Students also could face criminal charges. University police are handling the case, though the fraternity house is in the Starkville city limits, Kibler said in the Clarion-Ledger.
"[Those in violation of the campus' alcohol policy] can receive anything from a reprimand to expulsion from the university," he said in an interview.
He also said there are some programs at MSU to help curb the use of alcohol on campus.
"There are an array of things to help inform students about the hazards of excessive consumption of alcohol," he said in an interview.
MSU oftentimes handles situations that involve students who violate the alcohol policy.
However, Kibler said that since he has been at the university, he has not experienced alcohol allegations on this level, according to the Clarion-Ledger.
MSU has experienced other incidents related to alcohol abuse over the years.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity in 2001 and 2003 was penalized for alcohol-related reasons.
Also in 2005, MSU sophomore Kyle Giachelli, a Kappa Alpha member, died after being hit by a car in an alcohol-related car accident.
A student was taken to Oktibbeha County Hospital from Cresswell Hall Thursday at 2 a.m. on suspicion of alcohol poisoning, according to a report from the MSU Police Department.
The report is unclear as to whether this was related to the fraternity incident.
MSU police and student affairs officials have spoken with representatives of the local fraternity chapter and also contacted representatives from the national headquarters, according to the report.
"The residence hall staff noticed intoxicated students who had been at that event," vice president for student affairs Bill Kibler said in a report in the Clarion-Ledger. "They are trained to recognize and follow up on students who appear to be intoxicated."
Alcohol is a problem on the MSU campus, but is a significant problem for virtually every campus in the country, he said in an interview.
Wynn Smiley, ATO chief executive officer for the national fraternity, said the alleged incident does not go along with ATO ideals.
"We are looking at the allegations, but we do not condone underage drinking," Smiley said.
Smiley said he believes that in response to the incident, the chapter has done a good job.
"The chapter is responding appropriately after the fact, and the individuals involved are stepping up to the plate," he said. "It's about taking responsibility where responsibility can be taken."
Students also could face criminal charges. University police are handling the case, though the fraternity house is in the Starkville city limits, Kibler said in the Clarion-Ledger.
"[Those in violation of the campus' alcohol policy] can receive anything from a reprimand to expulsion from the university," he said in an interview.
He also said there are some programs at MSU to help curb the use of alcohol on campus.
"There are an array of things to help inform students about the hazards of excessive consumption of alcohol," he said in an interview.
MSU oftentimes handles situations that involve students who violate the alcohol policy.
However, Kibler said that since he has been at the university, he has not experienced alcohol allegations on this level, according to the Clarion-Ledger.
MSU has experienced other incidents related to alcohol abuse over the years.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity in 2001 and 2003 was penalized for alcohol-related reasons.
Also in 2005, MSU sophomore Kyle Giachelli, a Kappa Alpha member, died after being hit by a car in an alcohol-related car accident.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 9
alcoholabuser
posted 2/06/08 @ 9:53 AM CST
Anyone that would believe that alcohol abuse among college students, even under 21 year olds, isnt common obvisouly hasnt visited a college campus. I dont think it is as much a problem as it is controlled chaos. (Continued…)
Jesse English
Jesse English
posted 2/06/08 @ 11:13 AM CST
the crock is how the university conveniently ignores the problem until some kid goes to the hospital. i know that a lot of big alumni donor children are greek, but that does not give the school an excuse to turn a blind eye to the problem. (Continued…)
alcoholabuser
posted 2/06/08 @ 1:08 PM CST
In response. 1. It isnt a greek problem exclusively. You could find as much alcohol abuse and underage drinking at Rick's or in a freshman mens dorm as at a fraternity house. (Continued…)
Blake C
posted 2/06/08 @ 1:39 PM CST
Unfortunately, the student took the risks of drinking (and more risks since she was underage). The fault doesn't lie with anyone but the student. Drinking occurs at most social functions, whether they be public or private, around here. (Continued…)
Jed Pressgrove
posted 2/06/08 @ 2:14 PM CST
I agree that Greeks are being discriminated against. This is an outrage. To think some people would exclude others because of some cultural bias.
Greeks are the greatest people in the world, and I for one wish we could tolerate them. (Continued…)
Jesse
posted 2/06/08 @ 3:22 PM CST
i agree...it is definitely not an greek-only problem, and you can't try to control what people do outside of school grounds. it's a fact of college, and the school can only do so much. (Continued…)
alcoholabuser
posted 2/06/08 @ 4:10 PM CST
The deal with the fraternity houses is that the university does not own them, so fraternities are sovereign within their houses. The university owns the land, which it leases to the fraternites, but it does not give them rights to entry to the houses. (Continued…)
Jed Pressgrove
posted 2/06/08 @ 4:54 PM CST
All I'm saying is if you weren't so selective and begging for attention, your organizations wouldn't have a microscope lens above them. Accept your created destiny in other words. (Continued…)
alcoholabuser
posted 2/06/08 @ 4:56 PM CST
I think they did in this case. No resistance was offered, full cooperation, and acceptance of responsibilty. When under the microscope, they did exactly what was expected of them, step up to the plate. (Continued…)
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