Source: Pat Bosco, 785-532-6237, bosco@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Cheryl May, 785-532-6415, may@k-state.edu

Monday, Sept. 21, 2009

STUDENT RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL AFTER POSSIBLE ALCOHOL POISONING

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University officials are investigating an incident of possible hazing involving alcohol consumption.

The incident happened Sunday at an off-campus fraternity house, said Pat Bosco, vice president of student life and dean of students. A freshman student was found unresponsive and taken by fraternity brothers to Mercy Regional Health Center, where he was determined to have severe alcohol poisoning. The student has since been released from the hospital.

"We are moving quickly and decisively to investigate this incident," Bosco said. "K-State has a zero tolerance policy for hazing and there is a state law against it. Under university policy, interfraternity council along with student life administrators will investigate.

"Thankfully, the young man is going to be OK. This incident gives us an opportunity for enforcement of our policies and state law, but most importantly for education. Historically, our student chapter leadership and our alumni advisers take their responsibilities very seriously. This incident can be a warning that something more serious could have happened."

At K-State, the president, two other members and the chapter adviser of each fraternity and sorority are required to sign a "Hazing Compliance Form" each semester promising to comply with K-State's anti-hazing policy. The policy is online at http://www.k-state.edu/greek/policies/documents/anti_hazing.pdf

Kansas state law prohibits hazing: http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/getStatuteFile.do?number=/21-3434.html

Ironically, National Hazing Prevention Week is Sept. 21-25.