HANOVER, N.H. (WCAX) – Police say hazing was not a factor in the drowning death of a Dartmouth College student.
Hanover police say Won Jang, 20, drowned last summer after attending a party thrown by the Alpha Phi sorority where there was underage drinking.
Partiers went for a swim in the Connecticut River that night and left without noticing Jang was missing.
Jang’s body was found on July 7.
“We completed a thorough investigation. The evidence, in fact, does not support any type of hazing,” Hanover Police Chief Charles Dennis said.
Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity face charges of providing alcohol to people under 21. Alpha Phi is charged with a misdemeanor violation of “facilitating an underage alcohol house.”
In a statement, Dartmouth said both the sorority and fraternity have been on suspension since July. “Following the tragic loss of Won Jang during the summer, Dartmouth immediately suspended both Alpha Phi and Beta Alpha Omega, and an internal investigation was initiated. These suspensions remain in effect pending the results of Dartmouth’s internal investigation and conduct process, which is still ongoing.”
The school says more initiatives are in the works, like reviewing its Greek life structure, alcohol management structure and mandatory water safety training for students.