University of Georgia officials said the death of Georgia sophomore Benjamin Folsom Grantham III in a traffic accident last week was related to a fraternity hazing incident.
Grantham, an Alpha Tau Omega pledge, was riding in the cargo area of a sports utility vehicle driven by a fellow fraternity member when the vehicle flipped over and hit a tree.
Four other ATO pledges who also were in the car survived the crash.
An autopsy has shown Grantham was handcuffed at the time of the crash and may have been blindfolded as well.
Two other passengers were hospitalized.
No charges have been made yet regarding the incident.
Pending further investigation of the accident, the Georgia chapter of ATO was subjected to an interim suspension following Grantham's death.
University of Georgia spokesman Matthew Winston said hazing is against Georgia policy.
"We do not tolerate it," Winston said. "Our reaction to this particular incident was in line with our current student conduct code."
But he said it is possible that Georgia will change its hazing policy in the future.
"We always reevaluate [policies] after circumstances of this nature," he said.
Now education is a large part of Georgia's hazing policy. The school takes "a very educational approach to knowing what the policy is and what the repercussions are," Georgia Greek Life Coordinator Claudia Schamp said. "We have mandatory seminars where we discuss the policy."
According to Asst. Dean of Students Aaron Laushway, the University of Virginia's policy concerning Greek hazing is very similar to Georgia's.
"All fraternities and sororities must educate their membership, both new, potential and active, concerning the [hazing] policy," Laushway said.
Schamp said the Georgia Greek system may be forced to take new measures in the future if it is to prevent hazing-related deaths.
"Obviously, when a situation occurs, it should cause you to reflect, review, discuss," she said.
But she added she was unsure of what changes, if any, might be decided.
"Right now it's still a bit too early to tell," Schamp said.
Read More
Remembering a tragedy: A look at the aftermath of Nov. 13 over the past year
By Grace Thrush | 19 hours agoOver the past year, several developments in the aftermath of the shooting, from an independent review of the University’s response to a settlement for the victims’ families, have transpired.
Out-of-state students endured a series of obstacles in obtaining absentee ballots
By Bennett Galper and Jackie Bond | 20 hours agoFour states — Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Dakota — require notarization to either receive an absentee ballot or have it be officially counted.
Honor Committee debates Counsel training for new sanctioning process
By Lexie Stadler | 21 hours agoThe Committee is currently training support officers on the updated process.
