SPECIAL EDITION
The Daily Reveille @lsureveille
Est. 1887
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Volume 128 · No. 4
lsunow.com/daily
ΦHE
HΔ ZING EDITIΘN Sept. 14 marks the one-year anniversary of Max Gruver ‘s death from hazing by Phi Delta Theta. This special edition recaps everything that has happened as a result.
IN THIS ISSUE
EDITORIAL Evidence of hazing, excessive drinking by Phi Delta Theta years before Max Gruver’s death, page 6
“[Max’s] confidence and warmth gave him the ability to instantly connect with people so quickly he made LSU his home,” page 11
“Little has been done to reform the culture as a whole, with only cosmetic changes to appease the angry masses,” page 13
The Daily Reveille
page 2
B-16 Hodges Hall Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. 70803 Newsroom (225) 578-4811
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
ONE YEAR
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Editor in Chief
NATALIE ANDERSON Managing Editor
HA-VY NGUYEN News Editor
EVAN SAACKS Deputy News Editor
HAILEY AUGLAIR Sports Editor
KENNEDI LANDRY Deputy Sports Editor
GLEN WEST Entertainment Editor
SEPTEMBER 13
SEPTEMBER 14
SEPTEMBER 18
OCTOBER 4
OCTOBER 11
“Bible Study” takes place at Phi Delta Theta house
Max Gruver dies; LSU chapter of Phi Delta Theta suspended by national organization; all Greek Life suspended
National Phi Delta Theta organization revokes LSU charter
All Greek Life reinstated by LSU
Ten Phi Delta Theta members arrested, released on bond; autopsy released; LSUPD determined Gruver was “targeted”
LYNNE BUNCH Opinion Editor
HANNAH KLEINPETER Production Editor
LUKE JEANFREAU Co-Photo Editor
ALYSSA BERRY Co-Photo Editor
CHRISTA MORAN
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS The Daily Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 5784811 or email editor@lsureveille.com.
ABOUT THE DAILY REVEILLE The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Daily Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall. The Daily Reveille is published weekly during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, LA, 70803. Annual weekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester weekly mailed subscriptions are $75. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
M
ax Gruver reported to the LSU Phi Delta Theta house for “Bible Study” on Sept. 13, 2017. It was his 29th day of being a college student. It would also be his last. Gruver, a native of Roswell, Georgia, was pledging the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. His mother, Rae Ann Gruver, said in a court proceeding in September 2018 that Max was excited about potentially joining the fraternity. “He was very excited when he chose Phi Delt and they chose him,” Rae Ann said. Around 18 to 20 pledges arrived at the fraternity house for “Bible Study.” Their phones were all taken by a fraternity member, and were given lemonade to chase alcohol, according to LSUPD arrest reports. Pledges told LSUPD the most aggressive members during the event were Matthew Naquin, Ryan Isto and Sean-Paul Gott. The pledges were told to line up in a hallway with their noses and toes against a wall. Gott threw mustard and hot sauce at them while strobe lights flashed and loud music played. Several pledges said Naquin yelled, “Are you ready for ‘Bible Study’?” He also said “Y’all better do well. I’m already f*cked up,” the reports said. Members told Max and the other pledges to drink Diesel, a 190-proof liquor, according to the reports. Several other active members repeatedly warned Naquin he was being too aggressive, but he would not stop. Several pledges told LSUPD they thought Naquin did not like Max, and yelled at him more
than the other pledges. One said Naquin told him he wanted to cut Max from the pledge process. Pledges were told to recite the Greek alphabet. One pledge said Max kept reciting incorrectly, and Naquin kept forcing him to drink the Diesel. One pledge said Max was forced to take 10-12 “pulls,” while the other pledges only took three to four. There were security cameras in the fraternity house, but they were not functional during “Bible Study.” When the fraternity members recognized Max was highly intoxicated shortly after midnight, they laid him on a couch in the fraternity house. He was left alone until 9 a.m. the next day. Fraternity members called pledges to the house when they discovered Max was unresponsive. They forced two pledges to drive him to a hospital, but told them to lie and say Max was found unconscious in his dorm room, not the fraternity house. Max was taken to Our Lady Of The Lake Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. LSU President F. King Alexander held a press conference the afternoon of Sept. 14, where he announced Max’s death along with the decision to suspend all Greek Life activities. Alexander confirmed alcohol was involved in Max’s death, and hazing was suspected. “We at the LSU community are grieving today. The death of Maxwell Gruver was tragic and untimely,” Alexander said. “As we have continually warned over and over again, hazing is dangerous,
irresponsible and unacceptable. It will not be tolerated at LSU.” The same afternoon, the national Phi Delta Theta organization suspended the LSU chapter, and launched an investigation into the incident. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Beau Clark performed an autopsy the next day, where he found a highly-elevated blood alcohol level and the presence of THC in Max’s body. The full results of the autopsy were announced four weeks later, which showed Max had a blood alcohol content of .495. Four days after Max’s death, the national Phi Delt Organization announced in a statement they would remove the charter for the LSU chapter. Preliminary findings of the investigation showed the chapter violated the Fraternity’s alcohol-free housing policy. Later that day, the University announced it would hold a week of reflection for Max Gruver. The week following Max’s death coincidentally was National Hazing Prevention Week, which the University was already planning events for. A memorial mass was held for Max at Christ the King Catholic Church on Sept. 18, and LSU Student Government held a Rally Against Hazing on Sept. 21. The statement also encouraged students to schedule appointments with LSU Mental Health counselors if they needed. Greek Life leaders and Student Advocacy and Accountability representatives held a 4:30 p.m. meeting Sept. 18 in light of recent hazing allegations. In this meeting, attendees were given
updates on how the University’s investigation is progressing, and specific guidelines for the week of reflection Alexander put into place. The Interfraternity Council held a mandatory educational meeting for all fraternity members to attend, wherein Jud Horras, the president and CEO of the North-American Interfraternity Conference, asked fraternity members to reflect on their experiences and make good decisions to define how fraternities are viewed. The guidelines indicate no new member education may take place during the week, including, but not limited to, service projects, study hours or study groups, uniformed attire, pinning or initiation ceremonies. Further, no chapter would be allowed to host organized tailgates before the football game against Syracuse on Sept. 23. Dean of Students Mari Fuentes-Martin said the purpose of the week of reflection was not to make Greek members feel as if their privileges were being revoked, but to take time to reflect and heal. “[There are] people who feel their privileges are being taken away,” Fuentes-Martin said. “That’s not what we’re here for, but at the end of the day it’s something we [as administrators] are responsible for when something this serious does happen. We are thinking for the entire community.” The University announced some special exceptions to the suspension on Sept. 21, including philanthropies and donations in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Later that night, LSU Di-
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
LATER
page 3
Then and now: Read about how LSU’s policies and culture have changed in the year since Max Gruver’s death BY EVAN SAACKS | @evansaacks
OCTOBER 19
FEBRUARY 28
MARCH 15
MARCH 21
MAY 31
AUGUST 16
Alcohol banned from on-campus Greek Life events
LSU President F. King Alexander releases Action Plan featuring three new policies and 28 recommendations
A grand jury indicts Matthew Naquin, Sean-Paul Gott, Ryan Isto and Patrick Forde
Phi Delta Theta banned from LSU’s campus until 2033
Gov. John Bel Edwards signs “Max Gruver Act” into law
Max Gruver’s parents, Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver, file lawsuit against LSU, Phi Delta Theta
rector of Greek Life Angela Guillory sent a memo to Greek chapter presidents and advisers that some Greek Life activities would resume on Sept. 24. Greek Life activities were gradually reinstated over the course of the next three weeks. With the reinstatement of Greek tailgates came new, stricter policies for all student organization tailgates. Tailgates were prohibited from having common source drink containers, glass containers, tablecloths, furniture, stages or other structures, vehicles of any kind, tent walls, drapes or stakes to anchor tents. Each organization was also assigned a 30 x 30 foot area they could not move from. Each tailgate was also responsible for cleaning up the tailgate area before the beginning of the game. On Sept. 29, Alexander announced he was creating a Task Force on Greek Life to examine policies and create potential solutions for LSU Greek Life. Among the task force members were LSU Executive Vice President and CFO Dan Layzell, then-LSU Student Government president Jason Badeaux, LSU Faculty Senate president Kenneth McMillin, LSU Dean of Students Mari Fuentes-Martin and the presidents of the Interfraternity Council, National Panhellinic Council and Panhellinic Council. On Oct. 4, The Daily Reveille published a story detailing how Phi Delta Theta had been placed on interim suspension in November 2016 after The Office of Greek Life received hazing allegations. The chapter was reinstated on Dec. 21, 2016, a little more than a
month after being suspended. The complaints said pledges were being called to deliver food to active members and pick them up from bars at 3 a.m. One also described out of control behavior at the fraternity’s tailgate before an October 2016 football game, where the complainant said she saw the boys vomiting, passing out and snorting cocaine. On Oct. 11, LSUPD released arrest warrants for Naquin, Isto and Gott, along with active members Zachary Castillo, Sean Pennison, Hudson Kirkpatrick, Elliott Eaton, Nicholas Taulli, Zachary Hall and former student and fraternity member Patrick Forde. All 10 turned themselves in to LSUPD and were arrested on hazing charges, while Naquin received an additional charge of negligent homicide. Naquin was released on a $10,000 bail, while the rest posted $5,000. LSUPD’s investigation into “Bible Study” showed evidence Max was targeted by Naquin, Isto and Gott during the event. On Oct. 16, the Task Force on Greek Life held their first meeting. Alexander emphasized how the task force was a chance for the University to be a model for other schools on how to punish hazing. He also made clear there would be no “return to normalcy” for Greek Life at the University, and the task force’s new policies would signify a new era for fraternities and sororities. Alexander sent a letter to Greek leaders on Oct. 19 announcing alcohol would be prohibited at all on-campus Greek Life events. Events with alcohol had been re-
instated on Oct. 12, but Alexander said in his letter the conversations he had with people involved in Greek life changed his mind. “I ask again that we work together in order to eradicate this dangerous undercurrent of behavior,” Alexander said in the letter. “Commit to change for the better. If your organization is already a standard-bearer, take this time to help your peers move toward that same threshold. If you know of troubling, potentially hazardous behavior within your house, your chapter, or other student organizations, I ask that you report it now. Do it for yourselves. Do it for your friends. Do it for Max and the Gruver family.” As the task force continued to hold meetings into the Spring 2018 semester, LSU IFC announced it would suspend the addition of new members and new member programs while waiting for the task force to make its final recommendations. The task force presented its final 28 recommendations on Feb. 21, and all were approved by Alexander one week later. Changes made included the moving of tailgates to chapter houses, the banning of commonsource alcohol on chapter premises and at registered off-campus social events, the creation of a web portal disclosing fraternity information and discipline within the past five years, the University’s power to “spot-check” any Greek event and a revised hazing policy. The Gruver family released a statement criticizing the task force’s recommendations, calling them “disgraceful” and an insult
to Max’s memory. “The report epitomizes what happens when task forces like these are comprised of members with vested interests in perpetuating the current, failed Greek Life system,” the family said in the statement. “[The report] proffers no real meaningful changes to Greek Life that would have prevented the death of our son, any of the other injuries, or sexual assaults that have plagued LSU’s fraternities.” A grand jury indicted Naquin, Isto, Gott and Forde on March 15, 2018. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore’s office declined to press charges against Pennison, and the grand jury decided to not indict Taulli. The jury pretermitted hazing charges for Castillo, Kirkpatrick, Hall and Eaton, which means they can be indicted in the future if new evidence comes to light. The jury pretermitted charges of negligent homicide against Isto, charges of obstruction of justice against Castillo and charges of negligent homicide and obstruction of justice against Forde. On May 31, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed “The Max Gruver Act” into law, increasing hazing penalties in Louisiana and making hazing that results in death a felony. Under the Max Gruver Act, people who take part in hazing activities that result in death when the victim’s blood alcohol level is at least .30 would face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. Prior to Max’s death, a hazing charge was a misdemeanor resulting in a fine up to $100 and 10-30 days in jail. Hazing events that do not lead
to death would be subject to fines of up to $1,000 and six months in prison. “I think having it in Max’s name — of course it means a lot to our family — but I think it’s gonna speak to the young adults,” Max’s father Stephen Gruver said. “It’ll resonate more with them since it’s in Max’s name.” On Aug. 16, the Gruver family filed a federal lawsuit against LSU, the national and local Phi Delta Theta chapters, the company that owns the fraternity house and all of the former fraternity members whose hazing charges were not dropped. The complaint, filed by Gruver’s parents, Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver, alleges the University and Phi Delta Theta were aware of hazing and binge drinking within Greek organizations and neglected to take the proper measures that could have prevented Max’s death. The complaint says the University treated alleged hazing in sororities with harsh punishments, but did little to combat responses to hazing in fraternities, according to the release. “LSU’s policy and practice meant that a sorority accused of hazing its pledges by making them sing songs and do sit-ups and putting whipped cream, syrup and eggs in their hair was given ‘Total Probation’ by LSU – the most severe sanction LSU can impose, short of rescinding its recognition of the sorority,” the Gruvers said in a news release announcing the lawsuit.” While Phi Delt’s chapter, which admitted to hazing in 2016, was only placed on interim suspension for a month.”
The Daily Reveille
page 4
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
LAWSUIT
Gruvers file civil complaint against LSU, Phi Delt BY EVAN SAACKS & HAILEY AUGLAIR @evansaacks & @haileyauglair1
The parents of Max Gruver have filed a federal lawsuit for $25 million in damages for the death of their son. The Gruvers are suing the University; the national and local Phi Delta Theta organizations; the Beta House corporation; former fraternity members Matthew Naquin, Ryan Isto, Patrick Forde, and SeanPaul Gott; and four other former fraternity members who were arrested but not indicted on hazing charges. The Gruvers’ lead attorney, Douglas Fierberg, filed their complaint Aug. 16. The complaint alleges the University was aware of dangerous behavior within Phi Delta Theta and all fraternities at LSU, but did not take the proper steps to punish and eliminate hazing. The complaint also said the University responds disproportionately harsh to hazing in sororities, but brushes off the several fraternities alleged of hazing as “boys being boys” engaging in a masculine rite of passage. The allegations state the University knew of serious and substantial risks facing male students seeking to join
Greek Life because of the dangerous, repeated misconduct, including hazing and the compelled consumption of alcohol with fraternities. The complaint states the University responds to hazing allegations within fraternities with indifference because of gender stereotypes and persists in a systematic, intentional, differential treatment of males seeking to join Greek Life and therefore discriminated against male students in violation of Title IX. The complaint outlines details about the University’s knowledge of dangerous behavior within Phi Delta Theta. On Sept. 11, 2017, two days before the event where Gruver was hazed, the Executive Board of Louisiana Beta met to discuss how Naquin’s ongoing actions with the pledges were extreme and dangerous, according to the complaint. The Executive Board members agreed to address the issue at a Louisiana Beta chapter meeting later that day and discussed imposing penalties on Naquin if his conduct and actions toward the pledges continued, including possible suspension, fines or expulsion from the fraternity. The fraternity was also
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Maxwell Gruver’s father, Stephen Gruver, (left) and mother, Rae Ann Gruver, (right) wait for the Administration of Criminal Justice House committee meeting to begin on March 21 at the Louisiana State Capitol. made aware that Gott and Naquin’s conduct with the pledges was dangerous. Despite knowing this, fraternity members including Isto, and Gott, allowed them to participate in and direct a large portion of “Bible Study,” the event that led to Gruver’s death. On or around Sept. 6, 2017, Naquin and Gott, among other fraternity members, had summoned the pledges to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house. The pledges were ordered to clean and take pulls from a 1.75-liter bottle of alcohol. At least one pledge lost consciousness and had to be monitored throughout the night. The complaint adds the fact that the security cameras installed in the fraternity house were not operational during “Bible Study.” The lawsuit states that even though some of the fraternity members were not actively hazing Gruver, they failed to tend to him when he was clearly in need of medical attention. “Had Max received reasonable and proper care when he lost consciousness on the evening of Sept. 13, 2017, and/or during the hours before he was taken to the hospital in the late morning of Sept. 14, 2017, an extended period of time during which he was suffering and slowly succumbing to alcohol poisoning, he would have survived,” the complaint said. The lawsuit alleges the University as a whole was not proactive when receiving hazing complaints. On Sept. 11, 2017, a self-described “concerned parent” emailed the Office of Greek Life at LSU to report excessive drinking at the Sigma Nu house on the Boys’ Bid night. “The Sigma Nu pledge class was made to drink alcohol at the Sigma Nu house until each pledge member vomited,” the parent wrote. “I was made
aware of this yesterday, when a mother of a pledge (who has dropped out because of this) shared this information with me. As a parent of a pledge of another fraternity, I am very angry that this has occurred and I know that it will likely continue. I do not want to hear that someone’s son is dead due to alcohol poisoning, and I expect someone to investigate this incident ASAP and put an end to hazing at LSU.” LSU’s Greek Accountability team “decided there was not enough information to investigate the case,” and closed its file on the incident. The University’s “Partnership Process” relies on fraternity or sorority members to investigate allegations of misconduct made against their chapter and to report their findings to the Student Accountability & Advocacy service and the Office of Greek Life. The complaint states that the only way the “Partnership Process” would function as intended by LSU was if Greek letter organizations and their members were willing to come forth and provide LSU with all of the relevant information they discovered during their internal investigations,” the lawsuit said. “Fraternity members, influenced by traditions and rituals passed down by fraternity brothers, are relied on by the chapter and the University to implement risk-management and anti-hazing policies.” The complaint states that fraternity members, many of whom are entirely untrained, often intoxicated and influenced by traditions and rituals passed down by fraternity brothers, are empowered, trusted and principally relied upon by Phi Delt and LSU to implement their risk-management and anti-hazing rules and policies, promote the national fraternity and
Greek Life at LSU, recruit new members and revenue for Phi Delt and make life and death decisions. The lawsuit alleges that Gruver likely would not have pledged Phi Delta Theta if he had been made aware of their past incidents. Gruver received a copy of the Greek Tiger, which promotes Greek Life, but did not disclose information about violations and known risks. The lawsuit includes 10 examples of complaints of hazing in Phi Delta Theta between September 2013 and Gruver’s death on Sept. 14, 2017. “Nowhere in the Greek Tiger, web communications or personal presentations to students and parents by LSU staff does LSU provide male students or their families with timely, accurate and meaningful information about known risks to male students from hazing, selfgovernance, illegal drug use, alcohol and other dangerous conduct within LSU-recognized fraternities, including within Phi Delt,” the complaint said. The complaint alleges both LSU and Phi Delta Theta failed to properly educate fraternity members on risk management, and allowed a rampant culture to be past down from older brothers. “Time and time again, these defendants have remained deliberately indifferent to the serious and substantial risks to male students seeking the educational opportunities and benefits of Greek Life touted by LSU and Phi Delt, and they have failed to act reasonably to protect life and make recruitment, pledging, initiation and other fraternity activities safe for male students.” *Editor’s Note: Hailey Auglair is a former member of Delta Gamma soroity. She is no longer affiliated with the sorority.
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
page 5
HAZING
Four former Phi Delta Theta members face hazing charges BY HAILEY AUGLAIR @haileyauglair1 The four men who were indicted on hazing charges for the death of Max Gruver are still facing trials for their actions one year later. LSUPD arrested 10 men on Oct. 11 on hazing charges, with one receiving an additional charge of negligent homicide after Phi Delta Theta fraternity pledge Max Gruver died from a drinking and hazing ritual called “Bible Study.” Matthew Naquin, who was arrested for negligent homicide, was said to be the most aggressive in the hazing incident, followed by Sean-Paul Gott, according to the arrest report. A pledge said he felt Naquin was yelling at Gruver more and that Naquin did not like Gruver. Brayden Rabalais said Naquin told him several days before he wanted to “cut” Gruver from the pledge process because Gruver was always late. Gott struck a pledge in the head with a bottle giving him a black eye the night of “Bible Study.” The pledge said it was an accident, according to the arrest report. Patrick Forde and Ryan Isto were said to be main participants in the hazing event. Several pledges said Isto asked them questions and both men told pledges to take “pulls.” Forde was not an active member but still came to many fraternity events, according to the arrest report. In addition to Naquin, Forde, Isto, Gott, LSUPD arrested Zachary Hall, Hudson Kirkpatrick, Sean Pennison, Zachary Castillo, Nicalous Taulli and Elliott Eaton. The national Phi Delta Theta chapter announced the terminated membership of the 10 men once their arrest warrants were released. Castillo, Kirkpatrick, Hall, Eaton and Pennison are still enrolled at the University, according to the LSU Directory. In March, the grand jury indicted Naquin on charges of negligent homicide and hazing, and Forde, Isto and Gott were charged with hazing.
Misdemeanor hazing charges can result in a fine between $10 to $100 and between 10 to 30 days in prison. Negligent homicide charges can result in a fine up to $5,000 and up to five years in prison. The grand jury decided not to charge Taulli and Pennison but pertermitted charges for the four other men. Pretermitted charges mean the defendant can be charged in the future if new evidence comes to light. The jury also pretermitted charges of negligent homicide against Isto, charges of obstruction of justice against Castillo and charges of negligent homicide and obstruction of justice against Forde, according to the grand jury report. Isto and Gott pleaded no contest to hazing charges on Sept. 6, meaning they neither admitted nor denied guilt but can still be sentenced as if they pleaded guilty in criminal court. This also means they cannot be found guilty in a civil suit based on the ruling in this criminal trial. Isto and Gott also agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and testify at the trial of Naquin which is set for July 8. Forde agreed to cooperate with the state and to testify at all future dates of the other defendants. He does not yet have a trial date set. He was not present in court on Sept. 6. Gruver’s parents, Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver, were present in the courtroom on Sept. 6 to provide a victim’s statement. “This has been a very long and trying journey,” Rae Ann said in the statement. “We hope those involved cooperate so we can learn what happened and move on.” Naquin’s lawyer, John McLindon, attempted to prevent the introduction of evidence regarding Naquin’s behavior in the weeks before the incident that led to Gruver’s death. East Baton Rouge Parish Assistant District Attorney Morgan Johnson said the evidence should be introduced because it shows Naquin’s behavior was similar to the actions that led to Gruver’s
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(Left to right) Matthew Naquin, Ryan Isto, Sean-Paul Gott, Patrick Forde were indicted by a grand jury in March 2018 death. Johnson wanted to bring witness testimonies to trial because she said they contain inconsistencies. She wanted to use specifically the testimonies of former Phi Delta Theta pledges Joshua McKinney, Christian Taulli and Rabalais. Johnson said these testimonies should be used as evidence in Naquin’s trial because “the jury can’t see the whole picture [without them].” She said the information in these testimonies is integral in proving Naquin was criminally negligent on the night that led to Gruver’s death. The judge ruled to allow some of the witness testimonies in Naquin’s trial, but not all of them. East Baton Rouge investigator for the district attorney’s office Jeff Malone interviewed several former active and new Phi Delta Theta members. He has been investigating other incidents where Naquin’s behavior was questioned. Johnson played the recorded testimonies from three pledges before the court Sept. 6. One pledge told Malone that Naquin yelled at a pledge while watching the Mayweather v. McGregor fight at the fraternity house on Aug. 26, 2017. The pledge who was yelled at was upset and reported Naquin to other active members, but another pledge told Malone he doesn’t remember Naquin being at that event. Taulli told an investigator that about 12 pledges came
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We hope those involved cooperate so we can learn what happened and move on RAE ANN GRUVER
Max Gruver’s mother
to the fraternity house after they were summoned by active members on “hurricane day” when the University was closed for weather concerns on Aug. 30, 2017. They were forced to clean the house and were not allowed to leave until they finished the alcohol provided by Gott. Taulli said there was about three people to one handle of alcohol. McKinney told Malone he vomited and lost consciousness. On “hurricane day,” he said he was dehydrated and did not eat much that day. McKinney was laid on the couch and said active member Sean Pennison “took care of me well.” Former pledge educator Philip Clark said it was “a typical frat party.” Taulli told Malone that Gott and Isto were at the fraternity house on “hurricane day.” He said the active members wouldn’t directly tell him to “chug this” because his older brother was also an active member. But he said other pledges who did not have older brothers in the fraternity were forced to drink. Rabalais said Naquin was one of the active members forcing them to drink on “hurricane day.” He also said Naquin was shooting pledges with an airsoft gun while pledges were watching the fraternity’s tailgate on the Parade Ground on Sept. 8, the night before a football game. Malone said Forde asked Naquin to stop shooting pledges to which Naquin responded, “I can do whatever I want.” Taulli said Naquin was shooting the gun but wasn’t really hitting anyone. Another former pledge said the incident was shut down “in a matter of seconds.” The fraternity’s executive board discussed Naquin’s be-
havior Sept. 11 — two days before the event that led to Gruver’s death — and decided to give him a warning. Clark also warned Naquin one-on-one. Naquin’s attorney said former pledge educator Philip Clark told the pledges many times, “you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” Gruver’s hometown friend, Megan Molter, texted a friend who was an active member in the fraternity a picture of Gruver and said, “be nice to my friend.” The active member responded, “tell him to show up for shit on time.” The judge will allow any testimonies by active members who were on the Parade Ground when Naquin was shooting the airsoft gun. He is also allowing the state to present that the fraternity’s executive board discussed Naquin’s behavior and warned him in front of the chapter. These arrests have led to the passage of the Max Gruver Act signed into law on May 31, which increased hazing penalties in Louisiana. Under the Max Gruver Act, people who take part in hazing activities that result in death when the victim’s blood alcohol level is at least .30 would face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. “We’ll live with this pain for the rest of our lives,” Stephen said during his statement. “It’s ironic in his death that he’s quickly changed laws.” Phi Delta Theta’s national chapter removed the LSU chapter’s charter on Sept. 18, four days after Max died. The University banned the fraternity from campus until 2033. *Editor’s Note: Hailey Auglair is a former member of Delta Gamma sorority. She is no longer affiliated with the sorority.
The Daily Reveille
page 6 HAZING
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Phi Delt had history of hazing prior to Max Gruver’s death BY HAILEY AUGLAIR @haileyauglair1
The death of Max Gruver shocked the nation, but the events of “Bible Study” reflected a pattern of excessive drinking and hazing that infected Phi Delta Theta years before the fatal night of Sept. 13, 2017. Pledges were summoned to the fraternity house for “Bible Study,” a hazing event where pledges were quizzed on the fraternity and the Greek alphabet, and forced to take “pulls” of Diesel, a 190-proof liquor, when they answered incorrectly. But warning signs were present before that night. The national Phi Delta Theta organization implemented alcoholfree housing in 2000. However, the LSU chapter saw this as no hurdle to their hazing rituals. The University’s policy of self-investigating allegations made it easy for them to bypass this policy. The University’s “Partnership Process” relies on fraternity members to investigate allegations of misconduct made against the chapter and to report their findings to the Student Accountability & Advocacy service and the Office of Greek Life. During summer recruitment in 2013, it was determined the University’s chapter recruitment chair had provided alcohol to underage potential new members, according to the civil complaint filed by the Gruver’s lead attorney, Douglas Fierberg, in August. As a result, the Interfraternity Council placed the chapter on probation until fall 2014. One week after the fraternity was placed on probation, the University received a hazing complaint about the “Capture Game,” during which active members were kidnapping pledges, requiring other pledges to rescue them and compelling kidnapped pledges to drink alcohol before they were released. The “Capture Game” had been a tradition since the chapter was founded with the
purpose of bringing about brotherhood through competition. Even though the chapter was on probation, it was allowed to investigate the allegations internally. The chapter admitted to the “Capture Game,” but blamed any violations on a few “rouge members” and agreed to discontinue the game. The chapter received no further punishment. A few months later, in March 2014 — while still on probation — the chapter was found to be violating hazing policies again. The allegations included forced servitude, physical exercise, verbal abuse, scavenger hunts, forced alcohol consumption and coaching pledges on interactions with Phi Delta Theta’s national headquarters, according to the complaint. The chapter was again allowed to selfinvestigate the allegations. The investigation found that hazing had continued in the chapter, including hazing directed by those in charge of the pledge program. The chapter had not followed the Fall 2013 Enhancement Plan, which required them to discontinue the “Capture Game.” The chapter also admitted that active members told pledges not to tell anyone about the hazing. As a result, the chapter was placed on probation until May 31, 2015, and was required to appoint an adviser responsible for overseeing the pledge education program, restructure its new member program and have at least one Chapter Advisory Board member at all new member events through spring 2015. In January 2016, a “concerned parent” said that chapter members smoked marijuana in and around the fraternity house every day. The University took no action on the report. During October 2016, it was reported that pledges were required to buy chewing tobacco and cigarettes to have readily available for active members upon request. Pledges were required to be at the fraternity house every day at 6 a.m. and at tailgates at 1 a.m. be-
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fore football games. Pledges were to be available to active members at all times except when they were in class, had 24 hours before a test or had parents in town. The pledges also were called to deliver food and pick up members from bars, according to the complaint. After a self-investigation, it was determined that hazing had occurred, but the blame was pinned on one alumnus member and four active members, who were then placed on social probation. During the investigation, a “concerned student” said he witnessed the fraternity hazing during tailgates and members continuing to harass pledges after the tailgate. “Most of the time these young boys are completely intoxicated with obvious signs that they’ve puked themselves many times,” the student said in the report. “[I heard from them at tailgates] that they need to ‘get them good’ before they’re initiated.” About a week later, a parent and an LSU Greek Life alumna also reported the fraternity’s behavior at a tailgate. “We saw pledges sleeping in their own puke behind the bar while people were pouring beer and snorting cocaine,” she wrote in the report. No formal action was taken on this report, but a few days later the chapter was placed on interim suspension as a result of the first report from the “concerned student.” The complaint said LSU Director of Greek Life Angela Guillory and another Greek Life staff member “begged for assistance” from Phi Delt’s Director of Chapter Services and Phi Delt’s chapter consultant, according to the complaint. On Dec. 21, 2016, the chapter was taken off interim suspension and could “conduct business and resume normal activities.” On Sept. 6, 2018, East Baton Rouge Parish Assistant District Attorney Morgan Johnson presented evidence of Matthew Naquin’s behavior in the weeks before Gruver’s death to the judge to be used as evidence in his trial. Naquin is a former fraternity member being charged with hazing and negligent homicide. Johnson played recordings of interviews between former fraternity members and East Baton Rouge investigator for the district attorney’s office Jeff Malone. A pledge told Malone that Naquin cursed and yelled at a pledge on Aug. 26, 2017. The pledge said he thought Naquin’s actions were extreme and reported it to other active members. On Aug. 30, 2017 when the University closed for weather concerns, pledges were summoned to the fraternity house and forced to clean. The pledges were not allowed to leave until they finished the alcohol that was provided, said former pledge Christian Taulli. He said there were about three pledges per one handle of alcohol. During the “hurricane day,” former pledge Joshua McKinney
Sept. 21, 2013
It was confirmed that the University’s chapter recruitment chair had provided alcohol to underage potential new members during summer recruitment, and the chapter was placed on probation until Bid Day of fall 2014.
Sept. 29, 2013
The University received a hazing complaint about the “Capture Game.”
March 2014
The University received another complaint of hazing while the chapter was still on probation and extended the probation until May 31, 2015.
January 2016
A “concerned parent” said that, every day, chapter members smoked marijuana in and around the fraternity house.
Oct. 14, 2016
Another hazing incident is reported. About a week later, a parent and LSU Greek Life alumni reported the fraternity’s behavior at a tailgate.
Oct. 27, 2016
A “concerned student” said he witnessed the fraternity hazing during tailgates and members continuing to harass pledges after the tailgate.
Nov. 15, 2016
Nov. 4, 2016
A parent and LSU Greek Life alumnus reported that pledges were sleeping in their own puke behind their tailgate while people were pouring beer and snorting cocaine.
The University placed the chapter on interim suspension as a result of the alleged activities on Oct. 27.
Nov. 18, 2016
Dec. 21, 2016
The chapter was removed from interime suspension and could “conduct business and resume normal activities.”
Aug. 26, 2017
An active cussed and yelled at a pledge. The pledge reported this to other active members.
Sept. 8, 2017
A former pledge said Naquin shot pledges with an airsoft gun while they were watching the tailgate the night before a home football game. said he vomited and lost consciousness after drinking. A former pledge said Naquin shot pledges with an airsoft gun while they were watching the tailgate the night before a home football game on Sept. 8, 2017. The fraternity’s executive board discussed Naquin’s behavior Sept. 11, 2017 and gave him a
The Director and LSU’s Office of Greek Life and other Greek Life staff member “begged for assistance” from Phi Delta Theta Headquarters.
Aug. 30, 2017
When the University closed for weather concerns, pledges were summoned to the fraternity house and forced to clean. A pledge vomited and lost consciousness after being forced to drink.
Sept. 13, 2017 “Bible Study”
warning at a chapter meeting. Two days later was “Bible Study,” a hazing event former fraternity members continue to pay for one year later. *Editor’s Note: Hailey Auglair is a former member of Delta Gamma sorority. She is no longer affiliated with the sorority.
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
page 7
TAILGATING
LSU Greek regulations come into play at first tailgate of the season BY RACHEL MIPRO @remroc15 The first tailgate of the 2018 football season has come and gone, and with it, Greek Life traditions. For the first time in 13 years, Greek Life organizations aren’t allowed to tailgate on the Parade Ground. This policy is one of LSU President F. King Alexander’s Task Force on Greek Life recommendations. Greek organizations moved into their houses for tailgating, with police officers monitoring the situation and a ban on all common source alcohol. Student organizations were also affected by new tailgating regulations, which included having groups register their tents, stick to assigned areas and disposing of tailgating materials and tents before tailgating activities were finished. Greek organizations without a house are allowed on the Parade Ground. On Sept. 8, the Parade Ground held around 1,000 students from various student organizations. LSU PD officers were stationed there, as well as in other main tailgating areas. According to LSU Dean of Students Mari Fuentes-Martin, there were no incidents that required medical transport, no fights and no major incidents. “What I saw was a lot of collegiality, so people hanging out, having fun, loud music, the smell of burgers. It was that kind of stuff,” Fuentes-Martin said. “The community overall wanted to follow the rules and
be good stewards of what we’re trying to do. We didn’t have any incidents, so that’s a good sign for me. I think it was a good trial run.” Greek tailgates were temporarily moved off the Parade Ground in September 2017 following the hazing death of Max Gruver. Student organizations were allowed to return to the Parade Ground the following week, but with much stricter guidelines. Prior to Saturday, many Residential Life programs held mock tailgates to prepare students, especially freshmen, for the tailgating atmosphere. Alcohol and safety training were done in about five residence halls. Students were also given tips and information on how to prepare for the new regulations, including pamphlets about alcohol poisoning and the lighthouse program. Kathryn Saichuk, assistant director of Wellness and Health Promotion at the Student Health Center, said that she was really excited about the mock tailgates, and that she hoped to get through to the students. “Ideally, we don’t want anybody to drink, but we just want them to understand that if you make that choice to drink, there’s lots of things you can do to protect your body, to protect your safety and to be more knowledgeable before you consume substance, whether it be alcohol or anything else,” Saichuk said. “Everybody’s here to have a little fun, but we also want every-
body to be safe.” Associate Dean of Students and Director of Greek Life Angela Guillory was satisfied with how the tailgating went Saturday, and specifically praised the behavior of the Greek organizations. “There’s just been a lot of willingness to cooperate, to step up to the plate, to be compliant and hope that it will all work out,” Guillory said. Many University students seemed upset about the stricter guidelines and increased scrutiny, saying that they caused confusion and were less fun. Business freshman Alex Guidry, a Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity pledge, said splitting the fraternities up into their houses kept them from interacting with each other. “LSU tailgating is a lot different than it used to be,” Guidry said. “It’s not as fun because everything’s so spread out. It’s almost like the different fraternities can’t come together like they used to, and chill with each other. We’re not allowed to leave our spot. I think that they should totally bring the Parade Ground back. Keep the same regulations – beer and wine, that’s fine. But just bring back the Parade Ground.” Jake Chapman, a 2007 alumnus and former fraternity member, said he would’ve been thrilled to tailgate in the Greek houses. His fraternity was affected by the 2003 policy that banned Greeks from tailgating in their houses and forced them
MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Daily Reveille
LSU’s Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity puts up a poster before the Sept. 8 football game against Southeastern. out onto the Parade Ground. “It’s kind of weird to go fullcircle, that they now want them back in the houses,” Chapman said. “It makes more sense – you paid for a house, you might as well use it. It’s better, if we’d [had] the option then and the money then, we’d rather be in the house.” Other University students said that while they accepted the reasoning, their tailgating experiences were worsened by the regulations, especially the newly-increased scrutiny. After getting stopped and checked by police officers, communications studies senior Kayleigh Spilger was frustrated, saying it made more sense from a security standpoint to have everyone in one concentrated area. “We can’t find anyone and we’re trekking miles just to get to where our friends are, when normally we’re all in one designated area on the Parade Ground,” Spilger said. Although students seemed
annoyed by the changes, nonstudent tailgaters haven’t seen much of a difference. Donald Fontenot, a Baton Rouge resident who has been tailgating for 20 years, never even heard about the new regulations, saying his experience was the same as always. “Every year, everything, every game,” Fontenot said. “Keep it going and less restrictions on public access to it, and you’ll see it stay what it is.” Ariel DeVille, a Baton Rouge resident tailgating in front of a quiet Greek Row, said that while she wished the Greeks could tailgate openly, she thought tailgating culture would remain unchanged. “We’ve been out here for a couple of years and we haven’t seen a lot of significant changes,” DeVille said. “It’s sad to see that some of the tailgates have to be in their fraternity houses, but I don’t think it will change the tailgate atmosphere. I think everyone’s here to stay, to have a good time.”
The Daily Reveille
page 8
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
ADMINISTRATION
Greek Life policies undergo revisions year after Gruver death BY HAILEY AUGLAIR & CALEB GREENE @haileyauglair1 & @cgreene24 LSU President F. King Alexander and his Greek Life Implementation Committee ushered in a wide umbrella of policy changes focused on improved Greek accountability and increased University oversight in the past year following Max Gruver’s death. Major changes include new Greek Life committees, a new hazing definition and an amnesty policy. The new policies ban all hard alcohol with over 12 percent alcohol content and open-source containers at all registered Greek events both on and off campus. Open-source containers include kegs, punch bowls and Gatorade coolers filled with “jungle juice.” Major changes to tailgating have also been made. Fraternity tailgates are now required be inside fraternity houses, and those without houses are to tailgate on the Parade Ground. These revisions are a reversal of the University decision in 2005 to move tailgates out of houses onto the Parade Ground. There is also a new limit of three non-member guests per chapter member in attendance. The new amnesty policy, intended to promote action during emergency situations, allows students to report dangerous behavior and not face disciplinary action from the University. The Dean of Students and the
Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability will make the final decision to grant amnesty on a case-by-case basis. “For amnesty to work, [Greek chapters] have to know it’s a partnership,” Alexander said. “It’s not a ‘get-you’ environment. Now it’s ‘come tell us what’s going on, and let us investigate and evaluate whether this a legitimate concern.’ Get us involved before something bad happens.” The updated LSU Student Code of Conduct includes a refined definition of hazing: “an act by an individual or a group that, as an explicit or implicit condition for initiation to, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership in a group or organization, regardless of consent.” Previously, hazing was defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus, by one person alone or acting with others, that subjects a student to an unreasonable risk of physical, mental, emotional or academic harm for reasons related to that student’s status at the University or for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are or include students at the University. The new Oversight Committee on Greek Life will meet twice a year to review Greek policies, procedures and edu-
cational requirements. Every four years, the committee will conduct a complete review of Greek Life. Alexander expects more policy changes in the near future. “We are going to look at what we learned, what works, what doesn’t work [and] what is recommended to us that we could do better,” Alexander said. “This is a pretty fluid process. Do we have all the right answers in this environment that had none of the right answers before? No. We are going to learn, and we are going to make it safer.” There have been at least six investigations involving fraternities for forced and excessive consumption of alcohol in the last five years. None of the fraternities investigated for allegations had their charters permanently revoked. Most only received a letter of reprimand with no loss of privileges or probation. Even on probation, fraternities were not required to give up all social events or alcohol, according to the complaint filed by Gruver’s parents. A “concerned parent” emailed the Office of Greek Life just three days before Gruver’s death after learning the Sigma Nu pledge class was forced to drink alcohol until each member vomited. “I do not want to hear that someone’s son is dead due to alcohol poisoning, and I expect someone to investigate this in-
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Three days before death of Gruver cident ASAP and put an end to hazing at LSU,” the parent wrote. According to a lawsuit filed by the Gruver family, LSU Director of Greek Life Angela Guillory “begged for assistance” from Phi Delta Theta’s national headquarters in addressing several credible accounts of hazing they received. However, the University continued to allow the chapter to investigate itself for alleged hazing violations. The University’s Greek Accountability team “decided there was not enough information to investigate the case” according to the complaint filed by Max Gruver’s parents. The University’s Greek Organization Accountability Process allows fraternities and sororities accused of violating policies, like hazing, to investigate the allegations themselves under the “Partnership Process” and to report their findings to the SAA service and the Office of Greek Life. The University does not permit any other recognized student organizations besides Greek Life to investigate themselves for allegations of misconduct. “It’s about corroborating the information,” Associate Director of Greek Life and IFC adviser Jonathan Sanders. “We are giving an opportunity for resolution to a group to do their own investigation. Peer accountability, if done right, can be strong enough to make organizational change. If a group is untruthful and provides false information, they lose that opportunity to participate in that process.” After the internal investigation, the chapter is responsible for providing a report, and therefore controls the flow of information, to the Office of Greek Life and SAA. No further investigation is required by the University if the chapter accepts responsibility for the incident. The Gruvers’ lawyer, Douglas Fierberg, argued the Partnership Process is flawed because the nature of the selfinvestigation is not comprehensive. “The only way the ‘Partnership Process’ would function as intended by LSU was if Greek letter organizations and their members were willing to come forth and provide LSU with all of the relevant information they discovered during their internal investigations,” the lawsuit said. “Fraternity members, influenced by traditions and rituals passed down by fraternity
brothers, are relied on by the chapter and the University to implement risk-management and anti-hazing policies.” The University has not gone without policy violations since Gruver’s death. Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity was placed on probation until December 2018 for hazing violations less than two months after Gruver’s death. The chapter held a new member activity without an adviser present, which was a violation of the Oct. 4, 2017 Greek Life Status Update that reinstated all Greek Life activities, except for new member initiation. Pi Kappa Phi fraternity also faced disciplinary action from the University in October 2017 for hosting a social event not in compliance with the Greek Life Status Update. The disciplinary history of Greek organizations within the past five years is now available on the Office of Greek Life’s website. As of Aug. 1, 2018, an organization can receive a warning, disciplinary probation, deferred suspension and suspension/rescission of its registration. An organization that violates the LSU Code of Student Conduct or University policy will receive a warning. When an organization is placed on disciplinary probation, it may lose certain privileges and any further violation jeopardizes the organization’s status with the University. An organization loses privileges detailed under Disciplinary Probation when placed on deferred suspension while violations are being investigated. If found responsible, the organization will be suspended and/or have its registration revoked. This includes separation from the University anywhere from one semester to several years. During this time, no one should be acting on the behalf of the organization including collecting dues, hosting events and recruiting new members. Prior to Aug. 1, 2018, consequences for violating the University’s policies included a letter of reprimand with no loss of privileges; a chapter enhancement plan, a mutually agreed upon plan of correction developed by chapter officers, stakeholders, advisers, Greek Life, council representatives and SAA; the interim suspension of activities; University probation and rescission of University Registration. *Editor’s Note: Hailey Auglair is a former member of Delta Gamma sorority. She is no longer affiliated with the sorority.
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
page 9
HAZING
Details from inside the fraternity house the night Max Gruver was hazed to death BY EVAN SAACKS @evansaacks
After a month of investigating, LSUPD determined Max Gruver was “targeted” in the hazing even that led to his death. Max Gruver was among the 18 to 20 Phi Delta Theta pledges who reported to the fraternity house around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2017 for “Bible Study,” according to LSU Police reports. Gruver died the next day from alcohol poisoning after being forced to drink hard liquor until his blood alcohol content was six times the legal limit. The pledges were summoned to the fraternity house through GroupMe or by a phone call from active member Sean-Paul Gott. During “Bible Study,” the pledges were asked questions about the fraternity and the Greek alphabet and forced to drink alcohol if they answered incorrectly, according to the reports. It began around 10 p.m. and ended around 11:30 p.m. As the pledges arrived, their phones were taken by active member Sean Pennison. The re-
ports said each pledge was given a cup of lemonade to be used as a “chaser.” Active members Matthew Naquin, Ryan Isto and Gott came downstairs and told the pledges to make a single-file line upstairs. Patrick Forde, a former University student and fraternity member, was also with them. LSUPD learned that Forde still frequently attended Phi Delta Theta events, and hosted hazing events at his apartment. “Y’all better do well—I’m already f*cked up,” Naquin told the pledges when he came downstairs. Pledges and active members told LSUPD that Naquin, Isto and Gott were the main participants during the event. During the event, Gott struck a pledge in the head with a bottle, causing a severe black eye, according to the reports. The pledge said it was an accident. All pledges interviewed and most active members said Naquin was by far the most aggressive participant. As the pledges went upstairs single-file, Gott covered them with mustard and hot sauce. Once upstairs, the active mem-
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bers told the pledges to place their noses and toes against the wall. The active members turned off the lights, played loud music and flashed strobe lights. Pledges told LSUPD they had to recite the Greek alphabet, and were forced to take threeto-five second “pulls” of Diesel, a 190-proof liquor, if they answered incorrectly. Active members told the pledges to do “planks” and “wall sits” while active members walked across their knees. The pledges were also given a “pledge book,” a small book with the history of Phi Delta Theta. Pledges were told to hold the book while active members stood on top of it. Gruver kept answering incorrectly, messing up five or six times, and Naquin kept forcing him to drink the Diesel, according to the police reports. One pledge said Gruver was forced to take 10-12 “pulls,” while the other pledges only took three to four. Several other active members repeatedly warned Naquin he was being too aggressive, but he did not stop. Active members said they told Naquin to “cut it out” and “slow it down” several times, but he and Gott continued to yell at the pledges and force them to drink. Several pledges told LSUPD they thought Naquin did not like Gruver and yelled at him more than the other pledges. One said Naquin told him he wanted to cut Gruver from the pledge process. Some pledges said active members did not like Gruver because he was often late for events. Some time after midnight, Gruver was laid on a couch in the fraternity house by some active members. They were concerned
The death of Max Gruver was tragic and untimely. Hazing is dangerous, irresponsible and unacceptable. F. King Alexander
LSU President
about how intoxicated he was but left him alone on the couch for several hours. The next morning, Sept. 14, fraternity members found Gruver unresponsive on the counch with a weak pulse and were unsure if he was breathing. They summoned the pledges to the fraternity house after finding him aroun 9 a.m. The pledges wanted to immediately call an ambulance, but the active members forced them to clean the house while they deliberated what to do next. Around 11 a.m., active members told two pledges to drive Gruver to the hospital. The members told the pledges to lie and say Gruver was found in his dorm room, not the fraternity house. Gruver was taken to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead that morning. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Beau Clark said Gruver’s blood alcohol content was .495 and found THC in his system through comprehensive toxicology and histological testing. Gruver died from acute alcohol intoxication with aspiration, where he choked on his own vomit. LSUPD was called to the fraternity house to investigate later that day. LSU President F. King Alexander announced in a press
conference Thursday afternoon that hazing was suspected, and all Greek Life activities were suspended indefinitely. “We at the LSU community are grieving today. The death of Maxwell Gruver was tragic and untimely,” Alexander said in his statement. “As we have continually warned over and over again, hazing is dangerous, irresponsible and unacceptable. It will not be tolerated at LSU.” The national Phi Delta Theta organization suspended the fraternity on Sept. 14, and removed the charter for the fraternity four days later. The fraternity was later suspended from the University until 2033. LSUPD arrested Naquin, Isto, Gott, Forde and Pennison along with active members Zachary Castillo, Elliott Eaton, Hudson Kirkpatrick, Zachary Hall and Nicholas Taulli on Oct. 11 after their investigation of “Bible Study.” All 10 received charges of hazing, with Naquin receiving an additional charge of negligent homicide. All were released on bail the next day. A grand jury decided in March to move forward with the charges against Naquin, Isto, Gott and Forde. Naquin, Isto and Gott are no longer enrolled at the University.
THE DAILY REVEILLE ARCHIVES
Police investigate the death of LSU student and Phi Delta Theta pledge Max Gruver on Sept. 14, 2017, at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house.
The Daily Reveille
page 10
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
POLITICS
Max Gruver Act increases penalties for hazing in Louisiana BY NATALIE ANDERSON @nat_m_anderson In May, Gov. John Bel Edwards stood alongside the family of Max Gruver as he signed the “Max Gruver Act” and other anti-hazing legislation into law at the Louisiana State Capitol, using four pens to represent each member of the family there on Max’s behalf. Travelling from their home in Roswell, Georgia, Max’s mother Rae Ann, his father Stephen, and his younger siblings Alex and Lily Kate witnessed the set of four anti-hazing bills becoming law, inspired by their own tragedy. “We believe it’s groundbreaking and precedent-setting for the rest of the country,” Stephen Gruver said in an interview after the bills were signed. “These laws have components to them that just don’t exist anywhere else.” Hazing that results in death is now considered a felony in Louisiana. Individuals who take part in hazing activities that result in death when the victim’s blood alcohol level is at least .30 would face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. Max’s blood alcohol level was .495 at his time of death in Sep-
tember 2017, which is six times the legal limit to drive. The act also strengthens penalties for misdemeanor hazing charges. Hazing events that do not lead to death are subject to fines of up to $1,000 and six months in prison. Before this law, hazing called for a maximum fine of $100 and up to 30 days behind bars. The act expanded the list of educational groups subjected to anti-hazing laws to include fraternities, sororities, associations, clubs, service groups, spirit groups and other groups that have members who are college students. Those groups that knowingly allow hazing could face fines of up to $10,000. Edwards anticipates that Louisiana will be a model state for others across the country who are also determining ways to combat hazing on college campuses. “We have to acknowledge that this issue does not just affect us because of Greek Life on campus,” Edwards said during the signing. “Certainly, [May 31] does not mark the finish line. This is not ‘mission accomplished.’ This is a good start to what is going to be an ongoing process.” After Max’s death, Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver established
a nonprofit organization called the Max Gruver Foundation to work to help other states establish anti-hazing laws and provide awareness, including their home state of Georgia. They also have a Facebook page titled “Fly High Max.” All but six states in the nation have hazing laws, and at least 11 other states have made hazing a felony when it results in death or serious injury. The Gruvers said they are working with Republican Sen. John Albers in their home state of Georgia to establish similar anti-hazing laws, as well. “We’ll go state-by-state if we have to,” Rae Ann said in an interview with The Daily Reveille. One of the bills that was signed requires universities and colleges to expel or suspend students who haze others. Educational groups on campuses are required to report suspected hazing and make anti-hazing education mandatory for members. The Louisiana Board of Regents has since developed a uniform policy on hazing prevention for all colleges and universities in the state. Hazing education in new student orientations must be included. At least an hour of hazing preven-
NATALIE ANDERSON / The Daily Reveille
Gov. John Bel Edwards signs the Max Gruver Act among other anti-hazing legislation alongside the Gruver family on May 31 at the Louisiana State Capitol. tion education for all members and prospective members will be required of Greek organizations and other student life groups. Another law grants amnesty for those exposed to the scene of an emergency. Those who are present when another person suffers serious bodily harm are required to provide reasonable assistance to the injured person including seeking help or reporting the need for help to an appropriate authority. If individuals fail to report, they can be criminally charged
with a fine up to $1,000, a year behind bars or both. If the injury results in death, the individuals could face a $2,500 fine, five years behind bars or both. With an additional law signed by Edwards, the identifying information of the students who report violations of the student code of conduct are protected. The Gruvers said the day the legislation passed was “bittersweet” and only a “piece of the puzzle.” They emphasized the importance of educating others, including high school students.
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The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
page 11
Remembering Max Gruver
BY NATALIE ANDERSON @nat_m_anderson Fellow Tiger Max Gruver was only 18 years old and 29 days into his college career at the University before he died from a hazing ritual at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house. Since his death on Sept. 14, 2017, the tragedy has inspired his family to use his story and promote change in the overall culture of hazing. LSU President F. King Alexander announced a week of reflection for Maxwell Gruver last year lasting from Sept. 1822. Coincidentally, this was also during National Hazing Prevention Week. Among the events were a memorial service for Gruver at Christ the King Catholic Church and a Rally Against Hazing led by LSU Student Government. Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver, Max’s father and mother, met with Rev. Andrew Merrick from Christ the King fter his death, and expressed their desire for the church to hold a memorial mass in honor of their son’s life at the University. Before continuing with the traditional mass, Merrick read aloud from a remembrance of Max’s life written by his family. “Max never shied away from opportunities to challenge himself,” Merrick read. “This is one of the reasons he was so comfortable in his decision to attend a college out-of-state where he
would not know any people at the start. This confidence and warmth gave him the ability to instantly connect with people so quickly he made LSU his home.” Gruver, a native of Roswell, Georgia, came to the University interested in the mass communication program. But LSU was not Max’s initial first choice, Rae Ann told The Daily Reveille. The family are fans of Clemson University, where Rae Ann graduated. But after hearing testimonies from friends about how great LSU was, and with his desire to go to a “sports school,” Max decided to apply to LSU. And though it was one of the last applications he submitted, LSU was the first college to grant him acceptance. His first college acceptance was something to celebrate. Stephen and Max visited the campus and enjoyed it so much that shortly after they got home, Rae Ann arrived home from work and saw an “LSU Bound” sign already posted in her front yard. “I think it was his No. 1 [choice] and he just didn’t want to tell me that,” Rae Ann said. “But that was a really exciting time for all of us — to see how excited he was for LSU. He found his own place.” Max also didn’t initially plan to rush with a fraternity, but decided to do so the summer before arriving at the University. After receiving invitations from multiple fraternities, Max decided on Phi Delta Theta, Rae Ann said.
COURTESY OF THE GRUVER FAMILY
(left to right): Father Stephen Gruver, mother Rae Ann Gruver, sister Lily Kate Gruver, Max Gruver and brother Alex Gruver stand together outside their home in Roswell, Georgia, just before leaving to bring Max to LSU. He was attracted to the smaller size of the fraternity, which could later potentially allow him to move up to a leadership position. Max’s parents researched Phi Delta Theta and were glad to see the fraternity credited itself for being anti-hazing and having an anti-alcohol house. Max updated his parents frequently during Rush Week, noting his excitement to pledge and how all was well. But Max wasn’t a regular texter or caller, Rae Ann said, so she began using Snapchat to communicate. “Max and I snapchatted,
probably, right before he walked into that house, to go to that ‘Bible Study,’” she said. “I said to him that I missed him, and he sent back to me that he missed me. I told him I loved him, and he told me he loved me. That was my last communication with my son — on Snapchat.” LSU Police discovered that “Bible Study” was the hazing ritual where Max was targeted and forced to chug 190 proof liquor when he answered questions about the fraternity’s history and recited the Greek alphabet incorrectly. He had a .495 blood alcohol level at the time of his death. In a paper he wrote about blessings, Max stated, “God works in funny ways. He does bad things sometimes because in the end they are good. Something bad can happen to you, but it may happen because it will make you better. He does bad to ultimately create good.” The burden of that tragedy was a fog to Rae Ann and the family. But that quote, read aloud at his funeral and the University memorial, inspired Max’s parents. The Gruver family used his loss to advocate for a bigger cause. Rae Ann and Max’s high school girlfriend Blakely ordered bracelets that read #FlyHighMax and #StopTheHazing, and they were sold to family and friends. Interest among Max’s friends in sororities and fraternities grew, and more and more people wanted to keep the conversation active. Max’s parents decided to open up and speak out about the tragedy at his high school in May 2018. From there, the Gruvers began speaking to fraternities and universities across the nation. “We want to remember Max’s life and how happy Max was,” Rae Ann said. “And what an easy-going, super laid back, nice kid he was. We don’t want to live in what happened to
him at the end, but at the same time, we want to change things for other young kids. We don’t want this happening to another family.” On May 31, 2018, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed four antihazing pieces of legislation into law. These laws were created to enforce stricter penalties for the crime of hazing, deter organizations and leaders from taking part in hazing and hold them accountable if hazing occurs. Max’s parents established a nonprofit organization called the Max Gruver Foundation to work to help other states establish anti-hazing laws and provide awareness, including their home state of Georgia. They also have a Facebook page titled “Fly High Max.” LSU Student Government hosted the “Rally Against Hazing” in front of Memorial Tower on Sept. 21, 2017. Then-LSU SG president Jason Badeaux welcomed the crowd, noting the importance of the turnout of the event and the community coming together to rally against hazing. “We’re here to reflect on Max Gruver,” Badeaux said. “While he was a student here for only a short time, we did lose a fellow Tiger and a member of our community in a terrible tragedy. It’s very important for us to reflect on that and not forget that.” SG hosted the event to give students a chance to stand against hazing. Banners reading “Tigers Against Hazing” were painted by students with gold and purple handprints to show the students’ solidarity. “I know we’ll never know if we’ve saved anyone’s life, but I feel that we are,” Rae Ann said. “It’s changing mindsets and it is making organizations — down to the young adults — more responsible and more accountable.” Evan Saacks contributed to this report.
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The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
page 13
EDITORIAL
Greek Life policies fail to provide Max Gruver justice, change culture BY THE DAILY REVEILLE EDITORIAL BOARD @lsureveille Sept. 14 marks the first anniversary of University freshman Max Gruver’s death. Max died from acute alcohol poisoning and aspiration after being hazed by members of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He had a blood alcohol content of .495 at the time of his death — six times the legal limit to drive. In the year following his death, the University introduced new policies meant to protect students from hazing incidents and alcohol abuse both on and off campus. LSU President F. King Alexander implemented 31 new policies regarding LSU Greek Life. These include a ban on hard alcohol and commonsource alcohol at registered Greek Life events, the moving of Greek tailgates from the Parade Ground to the chapter houses and the creation of a web portal featuring information and past disciplinary issues for each chapter and the University’s ability to “spot-check” any Greek Life event. The new regulations only begin to scratch the surface of the administration’s decades-long inability to
bring fraternities to task. The University continuously fails to give our campus meaningful policy to eliminate an ever-present problem. If the University does not properly oversee and enforce its policies, there are simply too many loopholes to impart legitimate change. Fraternities will find ways to drink, and as seen at the first gameday tailgate on Sept. 8, it’s not difficult to circumvent the policies. Some fraternity members set up unsanctioned tailgates just yards from the Parade Ground where they freely violated the ban on hard liquor and common source alcohol by setting up kegs. If fraternities can dodge the University’s policies while still being in open view of the Parade Ground, it is too easy for students to fall into the same dangerous rituals we’ve seen in the past. Little has been done to reform the culture as a whole, with only cosmetic changes to appease the angry masses. The deadly hazing incident is not an outlier — it’s indicative of a larger culture radiating through fraternities at the University and around the country. Past incidents show forced binge drinking and hazing rituals are more habitual than isolated. Simply banning hard
AURIANNA CORDERO / The Daily Reveille
LSU President F. King Alexander speaks with task force members during the final Greek Life Task Force meeting on Feb. 21 in the LSU Foundation Center for Philanthropy. alcohol and moving tailgates off the Parade Ground is not enough to repair a system so broken that hazing and binge drinking incidents are as frequent as they are unsurprising. Only five of the 27 on-campus fraternities do not have any risk-management violations in the five years listed on the LSU Greek Life website. Almost every fraternity was investigated for hazing or alcohol misconduct, yet none of the fraternities had its charters permanently revoked, and only three received suspension for three years each. At least six of the investigations involving fraternities were related to forced, excessive consumption of alcohol. None of the fraternities investigated for allegations had its charters permanently revoked — most only received a letter of reprimand with no loss of privileges or probation. Even on probation, fraternities are not required to give up all social events or alcohol. Hazing, which the University labels intolerable, is met with an overwhelming amount of tolerance by way of leniency. For several decades, we’ve seen a sinister cycle repeat itself at the University. A fraternity is cited for hazing rituals, binge drinking or worse, and the University reprimands the
chapter with usually no more than a slap on the wrist or an unenforced regulation. The fraternity continues on as normal, with very few ever facing lasting consequences. Rather than being proactive in its attempts to prevent its occurrence, the University treats hazing as an unavoidable phenomena, only addressing the problem following a gross display of its presence. Even now, it seems as though we’re waiting for another incident to slip through the cracks of a system riddled with loopholes. We are not the enemies of fraternities or LSU Greek Life. When Alexander temporarily changed tailgating policy to disallow Greek students’ right to assemble in groups of 10 or more or wear Greek-related attire and accessories, The Editorial Board defended their First Amendment rights and suggested the University focus its efforts on hazing and alcohol education or in increasing oversight on the Parade Ground to prevent altercations. Though we’ve seen the policies implemented, the University has failed to give proper oversight. Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill package in May to strengthen penalties for hazing, require universities to provide hazing education and prevention
training, provide protections to those who report cases of hazing and penalize those who do not seek help for someone in distress. Though the state’s new measures are undoubtedly a step in the right direction, we shouldn’t have to wait on state laws to fix a problem on our own campus. Ultimately, it’s the University’s responsibility to make sure all policies are adequately executed. The ability to participate in Greek Life is a selling point often used in recruiting prospective students, and the University profits tremendously from its presence on campus. We must question why a university that promotes Greek Life so vehemently is not held responsible for the negative outcomes that are so often a product of the very institution they propagate. The new Greek Life policies are not strong enough to truly change the culture at the University. Simply observing tailgating on Saturday confirmed what we already assumed — the toxic culture that existed before Max’s death is still very much present. The punishment, or in this case, the regulations, simply do not match the crime. This campus deserves better. Our students deserve better. Max deserved better.
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ment is not worth another person’s life, being a pledge befor but thus are the morals valued by Greek tive. Most top-tier c KYLE RICHOUX PATRICK GAGEN life. young employees to @KyleRichoux @PattyGagen A look back at Greek life from the long hours before the National fraternities have received past tells the tale of scholars grouping totem pole. By instil ways important to critically quite a lot of vitriol in recent years attitude, the pledge he state of our society and, by up in the pursuit of knowledge. due to jarring video footage and media to joining a company The first Greek letter fraternity was the organization it contains. er the tragic passing of fresh- formed in 1825 as an alternative to Latin coverage of hazing deaths. The Uni- you will pagetirelessly 14 versity’s Greek Life is not exempt. The secret societies. 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Today’s “brotherhoods” outraged PATRICKatGAGEN Greek Life andyoung the Univer44 percent of U.S. p orgies KYLE surround life. employees to work exhaustingly @KyleRichoux @PattyGagen rituto have learned theirthe definition sity for allowing these dangerous of bodies they leave behind seemed A look back at Greek life from long hours before fraternities. they can move up the als to be performed, having known that of brothers from the tale of Cain and Another beneficia National fraternities have received past tells the tale of scholars grouping totem pole. By instilling a subservient go very far to dispel such is always important to critically quite a lot of vitriol in recent years up in the pursuit of knowledge. attitude, the pledge process is similar ine the state of our society and, by these kinds of things were going on. Abel. fraternities instill is to jarringWhile video footage and mediaincidents The first Greek letter fraternity was due to joining a company. 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Greek life has an unfortunate habit term reviled by universityConsider professors, ther doa usfixup or good a complete removal. above them, and tha tely,each negligent hazing death noble selling point. would all some and give anthat approximately 80 percent ation year. For reference, noI know subservience and conformity of leading potential members to their Little more is ever said, and the Univer- No, I am not referring to the hedonisbut cherished by corporate employers. Partying and making friends is all fine other students just do I immortalized am referring to the aren’t incident. Numerous people who feel they need of Fortune topof executives sisolated serialdeaths. killers Ted Bundy and other option tic revelry in movies, values 500 many us collegeare stu-fratersityto does not make much of an effort to Instead, translatable values fraternities instill dents join dandy, ancorrect organization belong or of findfraterninity members. Theto, corporate inInstilling servitude begins in the pledge and but theto kill count Wayne together racked up 69 such as the 1978 cult classic “Animal want to adhere but thesevalues frafor it. me outGacy allSince the time, and they 1959,at least one to hazing into its members that prepare them for House.”Partying is not a particularly any friends. stilled while in a fraternity make the difternal values yield great career results. More visibility for honor societies related death has been reported around med kills. process where active members require ties is far too high for them to remain. Patrick Gagen is a l the same story. sellingworld. point. One value of par- Consider that approximately 80 percent do us life all some good and we give annation each year. For reference,The no- would the noble corporate Greek system ference as members know even before course, the it would be shortsighted pledges to do a variety of chores, whethcommunication and ent veterans insidiously give have I am referring to — the Fortune 500 top executives other to people feel they serial killers andnow ticularInstead, importance is subservience a ofthey isoption broken andwho needs ei- need become interns howare to fraterserve those only onetorious death occured eachTed year.Bundy er that be cleaning the house or setting Kyle Richoux is a 20-year-old sociology translatable values fraternities instill Suwanee, Georgia. nity members. The corporate values into join an organization to belong or find John Wayne Gacy together racked up 69 n obscene amount of alcohol ther a fixup or a complete removal. term reviled by university professors, above them, and that’s experience that tunately, negligent hazing death into itsup members that prepare them for stilled while in a fraternity make the difany friends. confirmed kills.them, even the junior from LaPlace, Louisiana. proceed to neglect by tailgate. corporate employers. other students just don’t have. Partying and making friends is all fine but cherished an isolated incident. Numerous
Head to Head
Opinion
Greek life a broken system, dangerous to naive new prospects
Fraternities instill values crucial for employment
Head to Head
Greek life a broken system, dangerous to naive new prospects
Of course, it would be shortsighted
The
Greek
life
Fraternities instill values crucial for employment
system
we
the corporate world. One value of par-
and dandy, but the kill count of fraterni- Instilling servitude begins in the pledge s come out allonly theone time, and they each to say death occured year. have now is broken and needs ei- ticular importance is subservience — a process members require ties is too high for them to remain. ly tell theUnfortunately, same story. negligent hazing deathfarther term where reviledactive by university professors, a fixup or a complete removal. pledges to do a variety of chores, whethgligent veterans insidiously give Numerous Partying and making friends is all fine but cherished by corporate employers. is not an isolated incident. Instilling servitude begins in the pledge and dandy, but the kill count of fraternier that be cleaning the house or setting Kyle Richoux is a 20-year-old sociology stories come out all the time, and they its an obscene amount of alcohol process where active members require ties is far too high for them to remain. usually tell the same story. up the tailgate. junior from LaPlace, Louisiana. hen proceed to neglect them, even Negligent veterans insidiously give recruits an obscene amount of alcohol and then proceed to neglect them, even
Kyle Richoux is a 20-year-old sociology junior from LaPlace, Louisiana.
cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Daily Reveille
cartoon by ETHAN / The Daily/Reveille cartoon by GILBERTI ETHAN GILBERTI The Daily
Reveille
pledges to do a variety of chores, whether that be cleaning the house or setting up the tailgate.
ference as members know even before they become interns how to serve those Patrick Gagen is aexperience 21-year-old above them, and that’s that mass communication and finance senior from other students just don’t have.
Suwanee, Georgia.
Patrick Gagen is a 21-year-old mass communication and finance senior from Suwanee, Georgia.
cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Daily Reveille
cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The cartoon Daily Reveille by ETHAN GILBE
The Daily Reveille
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
page 15
Greek tailgating on Parade Ground should be reinstated TO THE MAX MAX NEDANOVICH @maxnedan Since last year’s tragic hazing death of University freshman Max Gruver, LSU President F. King Alexander’s Task Force on Greek Life has implemented new regulations regarding Greek tailgating activities on the Parade Ground. One of the new policies require all fraternity tailgating to be moved back to chapter houses with security guards present and alcohol sold by third-party vendors. The 2018 football season is the first time in almost 15 years fraternity tailgates will not be taking place on the Parade Ground. Tailgating on the Parade Ground has been a tradition for most fraternities for many years. The Task Force is correct in implementing new policies in order to prevent Greek Life hazing and alcohol-related violence, but prohibiting fraternities from tailgating on the Parade Ground is unnecessary. Drinking on game days is
inevitable, and violence stemming from alcohol consumption is possible regardless of where a tailgate is located. The Parade Ground is public, while chapter houses allow for more discreet activities to occur. When fraternities tailgate on the Parade Ground, more people are around to witness potential fights or alcohol-related hazing. In past years, the Parade Ground served as a large public space where fraternities could tailgate and be monitored easily because everyone was in the same general area. These new rules create large Greek tailgates all around campus, making it harder for law enforcement to monitor every tailgate and ensure everyone’s safety. Hazing usually takes place somewhere private, and moving Greek tailgates to chapter houses provides more privacy, therefore increasing the risk of hazing to occur. If fraternity members are tailgating in public at the Parade Ground with hundreds of people around to see, the chance of a hazing incident is far less likely. It is obvious that alcohol consumption on game days has
caused problems in the past, but simply moving the location of Greek tailgates is not going to resolve the issue. The Task Force should take a look at the past to see why tailgating at chapter houses is not the best idea. Prior to the 2005 football season, fraternity tailgates took place at chapter houses. This changed in August 2005, when LSU implemented its current alcohol policy, PS-78, moving Greek tailgates to the Parade Ground. Fraternity tailgates were moved because fraternities could not afford to host tailgates at their chapter houses because the policy’s regulations were often too expensive to follow. And now, after nearly 15 years, tailgating is being moved back to chapter houses, and the same financial issues will likely arise. The Task Force’s new tailgating policy increases costs for fraternities, as they are now required to pay for security and thirdparty vendors. LSUPD should be capable of taking the responsibility to secure safety on campus during game days. Fraternities should
DILYN STEWART / The Daily Reveille
LSU’s Parade Ground sit nearly bare on Sept. 23 due to the tailgating policies. not be financially responsible for ensuring campus safety. The drinking culture at the University is an ongoing problem, and the Task Force has taken monumental steps in making Greek life safer. But, moving Greek tailgates to chapter houses will not
decrease the amount of drinking during game day. It will only upset Greek students and alumni who have traditionally tailgated there. Max Nedanovich is a 21-year-old mass communication junior from Mandeville, Louisiana.
Greek Life making positive strides to reform culture, prevent hazing ALLOW ME TO DIEFENRENTIATE BRITANY DIEFENDERFER @back_in_a_dief Despite popular belief, Greek Life has changed for
the better within the last year. Greek Life has made progress toward positive changes because of the horrific death of freshman pledge Max Gruver one year ago. Organizations in the Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council and National
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Pan-Hellenic Council have accepted the changes enforced by the Greek Life Task Force last year and put forth effort in numerous accounts to change the direction of Greek Life on campus. Rae Ann Gruver, Max’s mother, visited the Omega chapter of Alpha Delta Pi as an alumna last week to meet the women and discuss the fundraiser to benefit her son’s foundation. A basketball tournament is being hosted on campus between all Greek organizations and other organizations, and they are donating all proceeds to the Max Gruver Foundation. Greek Life enforced a strict alcohol policy to lessen the dangers occurring at Greek social events. The change has been accepted and respected by the organizations on campus. They have been understanding of the decision-making behind the rules and continue to respect the benefits of the changes. The alcohol restraints have made social events safer, and the Greek community is on board to make campus a place free of hazing, where all members can feel at home. Hazing on campus is being closely monitored,
allowing for new members to have a safe, fun experience. This is the experience that Max should have had, but in his honor, the University is working to make this experience available for all new members. Resources are available for students to report anonymous claims to authorities regarding hazing or any feelings of discomfort. The efforts being made by Greek Life are tremendous, making organizations respect the new rules realizing the dedication and time spent behind them. Some fraternities have already initiated members, meaning they did not have a “pledgeship”, which is when the majority of hazing occurs. The typical pledge and upperclassmen relationship has ceased, causing new members to feel like brothers or sisters of their organizations rather than the derogatory term “pledges.” The pranking, rules and bullying have stopped, allowing freshmen to feel comfortable transitioning into their lives at the University. Greek Life visited chapters on campus speaking to their new members about their resources as well as their active members to discuss important
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The Daily Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Daily Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Daily Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Daily Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Daily Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Daily Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.
intervention training and rules. This change allowed the new members to feel comfortable in a judgement-free safe space. This yearly seminar benefits the active members of Greek organizations reminding them of the importance of safety on campus. Greek Life also set forth a policy banishing new memberexclusive events during the first week of pledgeship. This change allowed for smoother integration of the new members into their chapters. Rather than separating them, chapters at the University participated in events with their new members, forming bonds and harboring healthy relationships. Greek Life has made strides in the right direction and continues to make these positive changes. Students on campus understand the severity of hazing and alcohol abuse and are working to make the University a campus where safety, physical and mental health are valued. Britany Diefenderfer is a 20-year old English literature junior from Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Quote of the Week “Hazing is an extraordinary activity that, when it occurs often enough, becomes perversely ordinary as those who engage in it grow desensitized to its inhumanity.”
Hank Nuwer
Author and Journalist August 19, 1946 -
i
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Visit www.lsu.edu/shc/wellness/tiger-bites.php to register!
STUDENT HEALTH CENTER