Fraternity suspended indenitely

Phi Delta Theta fraternity national headquarters officials announced the indefinite suspension of its University of Michigan chapter yesterday following an investigation into the death of a Chi Omega sorority pledge who died after attending a party at the fraternity.

"The disciplinary action will be taken against the chapter as a result of the risk management violations that occurred," said Marc Mores, director of liability and risk management for the national Phi Delta Theta fraternity. The campus Phi Delta Theta chapter became alcohol free in the spring of 1995

"In similar cases, we have suspended the charter," Mores said.

LSA first-year student Courtney Cantor died after falling from her sixth-floor window in Mary Markley Residence Hall on Friday morning. Autopsy reports released yesterday by the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner's office state 18-year-old Cantor died from head and spinal injuries resulting from the fall.

Alcohol was found in her blood and urine samples, according to the report. Cantor was seen drinking at the Phi Delta Theta party following carry-in ceremonies for her sorority.

According to the report, Cantor received skull and spine fractures. Toxicology reports concerning Cantor's death will not be released until next week, said Joel Seguine of the University's News and Information Services.

Representatives of Chi Omega, Phi Delta Theta and the Department of Public Safety are conducting investigations into the cause of Cantor's death.

Mores said the fraternity representative interviewed chapter members and University fraternity alumni this weekend.

"It's a fact-finding mission to find what role, if any, the fraternity played in Courtney's death," Mores said.

The fraternity's general council - composed of fraternity alumni throughout the country - should conclude discussion of the investigation and decide on sanctions today, Mores said. Sanctions could include the temporary removal of the fraternity's charter from campus.

Under the suspension implemented yesterday, members may still live in the house but not participate in Greek activities such as social events and intermural sports.

If the national board suspends the fraternity's charter today, active members will be placed on alumni status and be forced to move out of the fraternity's house, located on Washtenaw Avenue.

"We do know there was a party and that alcohol was present," said Howard Oberchain, spokesperson for the fraternity's national headquarters in Ohio.

, and all chapters of the fraternity nationwide are scheduled to become alcohol-free by July 1, 2000.

If the campus chapter's charter is suspended, the chapter could return after a semester off campus, pending University and Interfraternity Council approval, Oberchain said.

The University's IFC adviser John Mountz said the organization is waiting for the investigations of Chi Omega and Phi Delta Theta to finish before any investigation of its own is begun.

"We try and work in cooperation with the nationals," Mountz said. "Phi Delta Theta has been a leader in pushing the Greek Community in issues of alcohol."

Mountz said no sanctions have been made on Phi Delta Theta fraternity from the IFC or the University.

In the recent past, two other fraternities, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Zeta Beta Tau, have been sanctioned for incidents involving alcohol.

David Trivax, a lawyer who has been involved in similar cases, said identifying the persons responsible for Cantor's death involves several key factors, including Cantor's age and the provider of the alcohol.

"If the alcohol played a part in her death ... the next step would be to put the (fraternity or sorority) on notice of a possible lawsuit," Trivax said.

For a Greek organization to be named liable, Trivax said, it would have to be proved that alcohol played a part in Cantor's death.

"You would have to prove the alcohol in her system lead to her falling out the window," Trivax said.

The Department of Public Safety plans to send their report on the investigation to the Washtenaw Prosecutor's Office in a couple of weeks, said University spokesperson Julie Peterson.

Even if DPS submits their findings to the Prosecutor's office, Peterson said, their investigation still may be ongoing.

10-20-98