The family of Stone Foltz, the Bowling Green State University student who was the victim in an alcohol related hazing incident, reports through an attorney that he is alive and arrangements are being made for organ donations.
The statement issued by Sean Alto, of Cooper & Elliott, read: “Stone is still with us for the time as he goes through the process to donate his organs. The family is asking for everyone to please be respectful and considerate as they work through this difficult time.”
BGSU administration also is asking people to cease social media speculation about the incident on Thursday. The university and Bowling Green police are continuing to investigate and react.
On Friday the university “placed Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity on interim suspension for alleged hazing activity,” according to a statement released by Alex Solis, university spokesperson.
“We are working with local law enforcement, who are actively taking the lead in investigating this unfolding situation.”
The university, Solis continued, is committed to supporting the student’s family and friends. “They are living every loved one’s worst nightmare, and we owe them the utmost respect and privacy at this time.”
The statement continues: “While our community deserves a space to process this tragic incident and we cannot censor freedom of speech, we strongly encourage those who are sharing their opinions and potentially misleading details on social media to cease and recognize that the student’s family and friends are in those same spaces reliving the trauma and grief from these comments.”
The incident was first reported Friday as “alleged hazing activity involving alcohol consumption at a Pi Kappa Alpha off-campus event.”
Lt. Dan Mancuso, of Bowling Green Police Division, said Friday the department is aware of “an incident” and are investigating. He would not elaborate.
The incident has prompted the university to look at all Greek chapters on campus.
Saturday’s release stated: “BGSU is committed to not just the student conduct and law enforcement investigations, but a full inquiry into each Greek chapter’s prevention and compliance responsibilities under University policies prohibiting hazing. These University processes and policies have been established to set high expectations and standards and to enforce compliance and ensure the safety of all students.”
The statement continues: “This morning, we began to meet with our student leaders to decide the short- and long-term future of fraternity and sorority life at BGSU. In the days to come, we will also be reviewing all other student organizations.”
The full BGSU statement reads:
Yesterday, Bowling Green State University placed Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity on interim suspension for alleged hazing activity. We are working with local law enforcement, who are actively taking the lead in investigating this unfolding situation.
This tragic incident has certainly impacted our students and community. BGSU is committed to not just the student conduct and law enforcement investigations, but a full inquiry into each Greek chapter’s prevention and compliance responsibilities under University policies prohibiting hazing. These University processes and policies have been established to set high expectations and standards and to enforce compliance and ensure the safety of all students. This morning, we began to meet with our student leaders to decide the short- and long-term future of fraternity and sorority life at BGSU. In the days to come, we will also be reviewing all other student organizations.
Above all, we remain committed to supporting the hospitalized student’s family and friends. They are living every loved one’s worst nightmare, and we owe them the utmost respect and privacy at this time.
While our community deserves a space to process this tragic incident and we cannot censor freedom of speech, we strongly encourage those who are sharing their opinions and potentially misleading details on social media to cease and recognize that the student’s family and friends are in those same spaces reliving the trauma and grief from these comments.
– Alex Solis, Deputy Chief of Staff and University Spokesperson, Bowling Green State University
