BGSU students protest over hazing death
Mar. 9—BOWLING GREEN — More than 100 students gathered Tuesday morning outside a fraternity house associated with the death of a Bowling Green State University student in an alleged off-campus hazing incident.
Protesters came together outside Pi Kappa Alpha, which is now under suspension, for a moment of silence, and then marched to McFall Center where administration offices are located.
Stone J. Foltz, 20, of Delaware, Ohio, a sophomore, died Sunday, three days after an off-campus incident Thursday during which, family attorney Sean Alto said, he was given a "copious amount of alcohol." His family said his organs were donated.
Students posted on Facebook plans for the protest demanding that the university expel the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity on BGSU's campuses, publicly and explicitly take accountability for the incident and others, and force the resignation of current president Rodney Rogers, "as a consequence for the ways he has enabled dangerous practices from Fraternity & Sorority Life."
Mr. Foltz was identified as an "unreported new member," or someone who has not gone through the initiation process. He was seeking to join Pi Kappa Alpha's Delta Beta Chapter at BGSU — commonly known as "Pike." Mr. Alto said the student was dropped off that night at his apartment by members of the fraternity, where he was later found by his roommates, who called 911.
The fraternity was placed on interim suspension Friday and Sunday morning the Greek letters marking the home of Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity at BGSU were removed.
Late Saturday, the university also suspended all recruiting and social activities for fraternities and sororities on campus in the interim.
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At least one online petition has been started, calling for the permanent removal of Pi Kappa Alpha from BGSU. More than 900 people had signed it by mid-afternoon Sunday.
Mr. Foltz graduated from Buckeye Valley High School in Delaware County in 2019 and played multiple sports while he was in school.
Check back for updates.
First Published March 9, 2021, 11:24am
