'Catastrophic medical emergency' causes West Virginia University to suspend all fraternities and sororities
Nolan Michael Burch, 18, of Buffalo, New York, wasn't breathing and had no pulse when police were called to the Kappa Sigma house around midnight Wednesday. The freshman was taken to a nearby hospital, where he is reported to be in critical condition. Officials have called the incident a "catastrophic medical emergency."
Just one week earlier, another West Virginia University fraternity, Sigma Chi, was suspended after 19 pledges were arrested or cited for underage possession of alcohol in a street brawl.
In light of these back-to-back incidents, West Virginia University officials have suspended all Greek organizations affiliated with the school. At least four other universities from South Carolina to California have also suspended Greek activities this year due to alcohol-related student deaths or injuries, NBC News reports.
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Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.
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