Dartmouth suspends fraternity after possible death of student in hazing incident

After Dartmouth College student Won Jang was found dead in the Connecticut River, a fraternity and a sorority have been suspended pending investigations into possible hazing.

Won Jang, 20, a member of Beta Alpha Omega, was last seen by friends around 9:30 p.m. Saturday while attending an informal social gathering of the Ledyard Canoe Club — about a 10-minute walk from the fraternity house.

According to friends Carter Anderson and Gideon Gruel, the meeting was a joint event with the Beta fraternity and Alpha Phi sorority.

Both Greek organizations were already sanctioned and under alcohol probation. Beta was suspended for the fall, winter, and spring semesters. Alpha Phi was suspended for the fall 2023 semester.

Dartmouth’s director of media relations said Newsweek the suspension is resumed.

“Dartmouth has suspended two Greek organizations, Beta Alpha Omega and Alpha Phi, while the investigation continues, and we are working closely with the Hanover Police Department,” said Jana Barnello.

Both student fraternity websites have been taken offline. Newsweek has contacted the Greek organizations but received no response.

After Jang failed to show up for an appointment on Sunday, he was reported missing to police in Hanover. His belongings were found near the port, suggesting he had not left the area – sparking a search.

Local law enforcement, the Lebanon and Hartford fire departments, the New Hampshire State Department of Fish and Game, and the Upper Valley Response Team assisted in the search.

Rescue workers recovered his body shortly before 7:30 p.m., about 20 meters from where he was last seen.

While the preliminary investigations do not suggest any third-party negligence, the cause of death is still unknown. Police Chief Charlie Dennis of the Hanover Police said Newsweek It was announced on Monday that part of the investigation will be to determine whether the event was an official fraternity gathering after messages were received.

“We have received some anonymous emails through the college indicating that there may have been some hazing or alcohol consumption,” Dennis said.

Many colleges and universities, including Dartmouth, have strict anti-bullying policies and programs to educate students about the dangers and legal consequences of bullying. Yet it is still an ongoing problem.

According to Dartmouth Student Affairs, “harassment harms individuals, limits the development of genuine and trusting relationships with an organization, and is a violation of college policy and state law.”

Newsweek requested additional information about Dartmouth’s hazing policy and past offenses at the college. However, “they cannot provide anything further at this time.”

This is the second Dartmouth student to be found dead in the last three months.

Kexin Cai, 26, was found dead in the Connecticut River on May 21 after a fisherman told authorities he spotted something along the river in Windsor, Vermont.

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