University sorority and fraternity charged after Dartmouth student, 20, dies at party

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Members of a Dartmouth sorority and fraternity are facing charges following the death of a 20 year old student at a party.

Two fraternity members and one sorority member have been charged in connection with the death of Won Jang, who was served alcohol as a minor at the party and later drowned in a river.

The Alpha Phi sorority has been charged as a corporation by police in Hanover, New Hampshire. They face one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house, while two members of the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity have been charged with providing alcohol to a person under 21.

These charges stem from an off-campus party on July 6, which Won attended. After the party, hosted by Alpha Phi and where alcohol was allegedly provided by Beta Alpha Omega, some attendees went for a swim in the Connecticut River.

Most of the partygoers were reportedly under the age of 21. Won's family claim that the 20 year old couldn't swim but joined the group.

It is believed he was accidentally left behind when it started to rain and others left, according to the New York Post. Won was reported missing the next day and authorities later found his body in the river, approximately 65ft from the shore, reports the Mirror.

According to police, the students made a "spontaneous decision to swim in the river" on July 6. However, when a heavy rainstorm struck, many festivities by the riverside ended abruptly.

Unfortunately, Won, who was unable to swim, got left behind. The New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner's Office ascertained that drowning was the cause of Won's death.

It has emerged he had an alcohol level of 0.167% in his blood. With the legal limit set at 0.08% in New Hampshire—and a sterner 0.02% for those under 21—the findings highlight a significant breach.

Dartmouth College responded with a statement: "Dartmouth has long valued the contributions that Greek organizations bring to the student experience, when they are operating within their stated values and standards."

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The statement continued: "These organizations, as well as all Dartmouth students and community members, have a responsibility to ensure Dartmouth remains a safe, respectful, equitable and inclusive community for students, faculty and staff."

In light of the tragic passing of Won Jang over the summer, Dartmouth took immediate action. They suspended both Alpha Phi and Beta Alpha Omega fraternities and began an internal inquiry.

The college clarified that these suspensions are maintained pending the outcome of Dartmouth's comprehensive internal investigation and conduct review, which is presently active.

Won is understood to have been studying biomedical engineering and economics at Dartmouth, where he also worked as a research assistant on a project for the engineering school, according to People. His LinkedIn page suggests that he also studied COVID vaccine antibodies during his time there.

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