UNR boots fraternity linked to death of student from LV

Jennifer Knight

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002 | 9:52 a.m.

The University of Nevada, Reno, has shut down operations of Pi Kappa Alpha, the fraternity that was linked to the drowning of an 18-year-old pledge from Las Vegas last month.

UNR officials announced Monday that it will no longer recognize Pi Kappa Alpha as a fraternity. The fraternity has no official house but has been on UNR's campus since 1986.

"We have high standards for protecting our students, and when those standards are not maintained we must act accordingly," said Rita Laden, UNR's assistant vice president for student life.

The university took the action against the fraternity after the death of Las Vegas resident Albert Santos, who was with a group of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity members when he drowned in Manzanita Lake on campus last month.

A police investigation of the drowning is still awaiting action by the Washoe County district attorney. Two members of the fraternity are expected to be charged under the state's anti-hazing law, school officials said.

Without recognition, Pi Kappa Alpha members will not be able to participate in intramural sports, form as a group on campus or attend any fraternity-related events.

"They're crushed," said Matt Young, a 22-year-old member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at UNR. "I know a couple of the guys and they are not doing well."

Young said that because of the fraternity-related death, school officials are already talking about possibly forbidding alcohol on campus. For the fraternities with houses on campus, such as Alpha Tau Omega, that means life could change significantly.

"We're going to fight that if that happens," Young said. "If they do that, then people are going to sneak it. It's not going to stop it."

Alcohol did not play a significant role in the drowning of Santos, a Washoe County coroner ruled. His blood-alcohol level was below the legal limit. More than likely, Santos' inability to swim well played a bigger role, officials said.com