6. Campus Crime

 

Earlier this year, the Delta Chi chapter of Virginia Commonwealth University was suspended after a 19- year old pledge, Adam Oakes, was found dead after a fraternity party. Eleven fraternity brothers have been charged in relation to the "hazing death" of the young man. Out of those eleven, eight have been arrested and charged with unlawful hazing of a student, and several received additional charges for purchasing and providing alcohol to minors. 

While hazing rituals are common for most fraternities and sororities across the country, over 200 deaths caused by hazing have occurred since 1838. And the stories are not unlike Adam Oakes tragedy. Young men and women are pressured into hazing every year, forcing them into uncomfortable and usually dangerous situations. The hazing ranges from alcohol poisoning to starvation to abuse. Each year, deaths occur and fraternities are slow to change their ways in an effort to maintain their sense of "brotherhood". 

Recently released by the authorities, Adam's cause of death was alcohol poisoning, after he drank a large bottle of whiskey under an hour, as part of initiation, and passed out. This horror story has resulted in a complete shut down of the Delta Chi chapter of Virginia Commonwealth University, and will remain closed indefinitely under university rules.

The passing of Adam Oakes is an eye-opening and heartbreaking story, and is a reality family and friends face every year because of hazing. 

Universities around the country are encouraging sororities and fraternities to end hazing, promoting the "These Hands Don't Haze" campaign, in an effort to completely eliminate the dangerous traditions across the nation.