FROM THE PUBLISHER: PHIG Parties are a Dead Serious Matter

This is serious. Dead serious.

When Victor Lazarte, himself an underage teen, invited an underage girl to the Phi Sigma Xi or ‘PHIG’ fraternity’s ‘Date Night,’ he had a responsibility. He had a responsibility to ensure that his date made it home safe. He failed miserably, and his actions, and those of others, almost cost a young woman her life.

Now, most of us know that the PHIGS lost a brother, Alex Davis, 20, to a drug overdose in May 2014. This is the same fraternity that back in 2011 had a drug raid in which numerous members were arrested and accordingly charged. This is the same fraternity which let a member stagger into a neighbors home and assault a young woman. No one sensible can defend this fraternity’s reputation.

After Davis’ untimely death, and despite the release from the coroner stating the cause of death as a drug overdose, the university felt the need to wait to take action against the fraternity. So the PHIGS continued on, no suspension, just continued on with their parties, including one in which an underage girl was served so much booze that she was hospitalized.

Now, Lazarte and his fraternity buddies did not ensure this young woman made it home safe. This young woman’s friends made sure she got home. It wasn’t the young man who asked her out on the date. It was her friends who called the ambulance. They did the right thing. She is incredibly lucky something worse didn’t happen. She is lucky to be alive.

Now, since my last editorial, the University has temporarily suspended the ‘PHIGS.’ At this point, the only charges Lazarte is facing is Unlawfully Dealing with a Child, but at this point Lazarte’s legal issues are just beginning.

I have never previously been critical of any fraternity. I am not anti-greek. I actually support greek life. I believe in looking out for your brothers. I believe in working together. I played Rugby, I served in he U.S. ARMY, I am currently in the Air Force Reserves. I believe in brotherhood. I count on it. My life is in the hands of those around me and 100 percent trust them with it.

My editorial was absolutely harsh, borderline brutal. But you know what is worse then the phrase, ‘dead kid on the couch?’ Writing an editorial about another dead kid on a couch. If the PHIGS had continued to operate, that would be a legitimate possibility.

PHOTO CAPTION: (Photo/Josh Williams)

Reading this on your phone? Download our new app on Google Play. Apple store version coming soon.