ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140076
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: ELISSA MILENKY STAFF WRITER
IT IS THE FIRST TIME the university has suspended a fraternity for violations of a policy set in 1994 dealing with alcohol use.
Two Radford University fraternities have been suspended after an investigation into the death of freshman Valerie Cole revealed that they violated university alcohol policies.
Friends on Cole's dormitory hall and an investigation by campus police confirmed that the 18-year-old attended parties at the Chi Phi and Pi Kappa Phi fraternities Friday night. Friends said Cole had been drinking, came home between 3:30 and 4 a.m. and went to sleep.
Two friends who were visiting from out of town found Cole dead the next morning. The medical examiner's office is awaiting laboratory test results, which are not expected for at least a week, before stating a cause of death.
The Radford University Interfraternity Council developed a risk management policy in 1994 that prohibits, among other things, serving alcohol to minors; having "open parties" that are not invitation-only; allowing drinking games on a chapter's premises; and buying alcohol in bulk quantities, such as kegs.
Greek Affairs Coordinator James Hicks said Tuesday that he could not say which rules the fraternities violated until a university investigation is complete. This is the first time a fraternity has been penalized for violating the policy, Hicks said.
James Miskimen, Chi Phi's national director of chapter services, said he is trying to determine whether the fraternity violated policies against buying alcohol in bulk, allowing underage drinking and having an open party. The national chapter's rules regarding alcohol are similar to the university's.
"As a result of the whole thing, it's going to be a very good exercise to strengthen those policies, which I welcome," said Miskimen, who works in Atlanta but has been in Radford the past few days.
Jason Dodd, assistant executive director of Pi Kappa Phi's national chapter, said he has determined that beer was served at the chapter's Friday night party, but does not know which university policies were violated.
Both fraternities have been temporarily suspended by the university and their national chapters, which means they cannot participate in or organize any activities on or off campus, Hicks said. They can attend but not vote at Interfraternity Council meetings.
There is no official fraternity housing at Radford University. Instead, several fraternity members generally rent off-campus houses together where parties and official functions are held. University administrators said it is difficult to enforce the alcohol policies, which are not regularly monitored.
The Interfraternity Council has been discussing better ways to police itself, but has not come up with a specific plan.
"I can guarantee it shocked every student on campus," Chris Miller, Interfraternity Council president, said of Cole's death.
Many of Cole's friends left campus Tuesday to attend her funeral in Manassas. Some said they want the fraternities to examine how they handle alcohol, but do not think the organizations should be punished.
Shelly Wright, Cole's former roommate and friend, wants students to examine how and why they drink and re-evaluate their habits. Wright, who returned home to Northern Virginia this semester, was visiting Cole in Radford last weekend and went with her to the two fraternity parties.
"One of the things we wanted to do was party together. Yeah, [the fraternities] did contribute, but all in all, Valerie was her own responsibility," she said. "If anything, [we] should not put blame on each other but realize it could have been anyone at Radford that was partying. It could have been one of us that was partying. ... I hope that everyone gets a reality check."
Wright said Cole was one of the closest friends she'd ever had. They were assigned to be roommates last semester and connected immediately. Cole helped Wright through one of her roughest periods, when she had to leave Radford after the fall semester because of money problems.
"It was like no other friendship I've had," she said. "We've only known each other since August, and I can say that Valerie and I knew everything about each other. It just deepened really fast."
Last weekend was the first time Wright had visited Cole since she left Radford. After a dinner at Macado's, a group of friends went to the parties and then returned to Peery Hall, Wright said. She and one of Cole's high school friends from Manassas went to sleep in Cole's room.
Cole "seemed OK all night," Wright said.
"That was probably the most awful experience I've ever gone through," she said. "I think it was a sign it happened when I was down there. ... I was happy I got to spend her last day with her. She was a pure joy to know."
Cole's funeral is being held today at the Manassas St.Thomas United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be held on campus Monday at 4 p.m.
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