San Francisco State University (SFSU) has expelled the local chapter of the Lambda Phi Epsilon National Fraternity, late June, for violating the school's hazing policy that led to the death of an 18-year-old student at a fraternity party in April.
According to the police, Peter Tran died at some point during an April 23 frat party held at a house in the 1200 block of Plymouth Avenue in the Ingleside district. The crossover party was organised to induct new members into the fraternity.
People who attended the party did not notice his lifeless body in the house until the next day. The results of the toxicology tests haven't been declared yet. Officials suspect that alcohol must have caused Tran's death.
"The review process provided information that showed the pledging process for the organization included mental and physical challenges with ambiguous expectations of the men wishing to join the fraternity," said, Joseph Greenwell, dean of students.
According to the official website of Lambda Phi Epsilon, an Asian-American-specific fraternity, has 46 chapters in the U.S. and Canada, including at Stanford University and UC Berkeley.
"While we are not 100 percent sure what happened to him, we are shocked, saddened, confused, and at a loss for words at what happened," said, Harry Tran, Tran's cousin.
Students, who were present at the party the night Tran died, could face felony charges under Matt's Law. The Californian law allows felony prosecutions when serious injuries or deaths result from hazing. If convicted, the students might face a maximum sentence of up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine.
In order to prevent future hazing-related deaths, the university has contacted non-profit Aware Awake Alive to introduce new ways to limit student drinking.
According to Ivo Labar, an attorney who specializes in fraternity hazing lawsuits, feels that prosecution may be the best way to dissuade students from drinking.
