MSU's Pi Alpha Phi fraternity disbanded for at least 10 years after Phat Nguyen's death
EAST LANSING – Michigan State University's Pi Alpha Phi fraternity chapter has been disbanded for a minimum of 10 years in the aftermath of a student's death off-campus, the university and national fraternity organization confirmed Tuesday.
The decision follows the Nov. 20 death of Phat Nguyen, a 21-year-old student in the Eli Broad College of Business, at a dwelling in the 400 block of Stoddard Avenue.
Nguyen had just joined Pi Alpha Phi, according to a Facebook posting the morning before he passed away.
His cause of death has not been confirmed by East Lansing officials. Earlier reports suggested alcohol may have been involved in the death. Police did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Officials have said previously that a final report could take up to eight weeks to deliver.
The fraternity has not been a registered student organization at MSU since Dec. 9, university spokesperson Dan Olsen said.
"The decision was to remove the fraternity from registered student organization indefinitely and for at least 10 years," Olsen said.
Olsen said that there's no set time limit by which the university disciplines student organizations. He said cases are reviewed individually to determine the appropriate sanction.
In an emailed statement, Pi Alpha Phi's National Board said it made its own decision after an internal investigation.
"As a result, the Fraternity has concluded that – in keeping with our commitment to the core missions of Pi Alpha Phi as well as Michigan State University – the closure of the Pi Alpha Phi chapter was the appropriate course of action," the statement said.
The MSU fraternity charter will also remain suspended on campus for "no less than 10 years," after which it may be reopened and reinstated.
Additionally, upon graduating from MSU, fraternity members "will be entitled to the full rights and privileges of all Pi Alpha Phi members," the email said. The fraternity did not respond to a request for more information on that decision.
More: MSU community gathers to honor the life of Phat Nguyen at a candlelight vigil
More: MSU's Pi Alpha Phi fraternity chapter suspended after death of student off campus
Nguyen was a member of several student organizations. At a Nov. 29 vigil outside the business school, friends and acquaintances described him as an enthusiastic and earnest member of their campus groups.
"Every time I talked to him, he would always just be the nicest guy ever," said Evan Chang, who became friends with Nguyen after meeting him at club tennis tryouts. "He would always be complimenting me whenever I talked to him ... things that I would never think of."
Contact reporter Jared Weber at 517-582-3937 or jtweber@lsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU fraternity disbanded for at least 10 years after student's death
