EMU student falls from window ledge

Eastern Michigan University first-year student Chris Mounayyer said it was difficult to visit his injured floormate, first-year student Nathan Wilber, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital when only a few days ago the two were celebrating the end of the winter term.

Wilber fell from his fourth-floor residence hall window early Tuesday morning after leaving a party the two had attended on the fourth-floor hall. After running through a bathroom that connected to an adjoining suite, Wilber hung out of a window in an attempt to avoid EMU campus officers who had entered the party. But Wilber eventually lost his grip, falling four stories to the ground.

"It was pretty disturbing," Mounayyer said.

"I had never seen anyone that hurt before," he said, explaining that Wilber's injuries consisted of a collapsed lung as well as internal bleeding.

EMU spokesperson Pamela Young said students living in residence halls who are of legal drinking age are allowed to have alcoholic beverages in their rooms but are not allowed to have kegs or serve alcohol to minors.

Wilber, 22, had purchased two kegs for the residence hall party, which was attended by several minors. Students who attended the party said Wilber had been seen drinking.

Wilber's fall comes at the close of an academic year in which alcohol related deaths have plagued campuses statewide. In October, LSA first-year student Courtney Cantor died after falling from her sixth-floor Mary Markley Residence Hall window, hours after she was seen drinking at a fraternity party.

Two Ferris State University students and one Michigan State University student have also died in alcohol related incidents this school year.

Mounayyer said Wilber suddenly departed from the party when EMU police pounded on the door and asked for Wilber by name. Mounayyer said the party was "controlled" and had been going on for about two and a half hours when the police arrived at the scene.

Mounayyer said the police issued minor in possession tickets to minors at the party who had been drinking. Mounayyer said no one thought about where Wilber had gone because they thought he had locked himself in his room until a first-floor resident informed them that Wilber had fallen out of the window.

First-year student Scott Stadtmiller said he was shocked to see his friend sitting in "some kids" dorm room.

"He was complaining of his legs hurting," Stadtmiller said. "I was mad at him. I couldn't understand why he did it."

Wilber has been listed at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in serious condition since he was admitted Tuesday.

A patient in serious condition is considered acutely ill with a questionable prognosis.

Vital signs of the patient may be unstable but there is a chance for improved prognosis.

Although Young said the university is still investigating the case, a determination on possible sanctions has not been made.

"Based on the information in the police report, disciplinary action could be appropriate," Young said.

Young added that if disciplinary action is taken it would be handled by the EMU student judicial office, which would determine if sanctions were appropriate. Sanctions, Young said, could range from anything from a verbal warning to expulsion.

04-15-99