Dartmouth fraternity suspended after student’s death was already under alcohol probation

The Dartmouth College fraternity that was suspended after a student died was already on alcohol probation for a previous suspension. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

The Dartmouth College fraternity, which died after one of its students died as a result of hazing, was suspended and was already under the influence of alcohol due to a previous suspension.

Beta Alpha Omega fraternity and Alpha Phi sorority were suspended from New Hampshire College after 20-year-old Won Jang was found dead in the Connecticut River following a joint social event.

“At the time of the incident, Beta Alpha Omega was on alcohol probation due to a suspension from the fall, winter and spring semesters,” a Dartmouth spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday.

“Alpha Phi was placed on alcohol probation for the fall semester of 2023 and then returned to good standing,” the college spokesperson added.

Hanover police and fire departments responded to a report of a missing Dartmouth student around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday.

Jang was last seen at the river piers around 9.30pm on Saturday.

First responders found Jang’s body about 20 meters off the coast at around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Preliminary police investigations have shown that no third-party negligence is suspected; however, the Hanover police are investigating the allegation of harassment.

“Hazing is strictly prohibited at Dartmouth College by both college policy and New Hampshire state law,” the college’s website states.

“No student, college employee, college volunteer, student organization, athletic team, or other college-recognized group or association should participate in, instigate, direct, assist, perpetrate, or witness hazing,” Dartmouth’s website states.

State law requires the college to report hazing incidents to authorities.

“Students and organizations may be subject to criminal prosecution for violating New Hampshire state law prohibiting hazing ceremonies,” the college’s website states.

“Student organizations, groups or teams found to be violating this policy may face significant organizational sanctions, including loss of membership recruitment rights, suspension or revocation of organizational activity and/or recognition,” the website states.

Students can be sued in civil court for damages for the psychological and/or physical harm they have suffered as a result of the harassing treatment.