At an off-campus party at Rice University, the male and female lacross teams subjected new members to alcohol consumption -- just like the "ordeal" that killed Gordie Bailey and have endangered others. This time it wasn't a frat, but the lacrosse teams.
(Had they heard of alcohol poisoning? Or Gordie Bailey? Or the dangers of hazing? Or the alcohol awareness seminars?)
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(The purpose of these posts are to track
the number of people under the age of 25 or so who die of alcohol
overdose or alcohol poisoning, particularly in settings where they are
in the company of their peers, who could call 911 or transport the
stuporous victim to an emergency room. (2004 roster; 2005 roster))
======Rice protesters decry hazing suspensions
They want both lacrosse teams back and five students to return
By ANNE MARIE KILDAY
Copyright 2005 Houston ChronicleRice University officials have disbanded the school's men's and women's lacrosse teams and suspended five team captains, accusing them of participating in a hazing incident that ended with four students being taken to the hospital after consuming large amounts of alcohol.
The disciplinary actions, announced last month, were the focus of a boisterous protest by about 60 students on the university's main quadrangle Friday.
Many of the protesters said new team members were not "forced" to drink alcoholic beverages during an initiation party, that two of the men's team members were taken to the hospital because they had gotten into a fight — not for excessive intoxication — and that university officials had not taken the time to read their letters about the incident.
As students chanted "Rice is not a high school!" and "Free Lacrosse," the university's Dean of Undergraduate Students Robin Forman met with the protesters to defend the disciplinary actions.
"The point is that a university is a community, and we have to take some responsibility for each other," Forman said. "It is unfortunate that those students who had been willing to take on leadership positions, who had responsibility for the other students ... faced the strictest discipline."
The suspensions were announced last month by Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs Don H. Ostdiek.
In letters to the men's and women's lacrosse teams early last month, Ostdiek explained his decision to disband the teams until fall 2006 following his investigation into an off-campus party Dec. 3.
According to the letter, at the party new male and female team members were handcuffed together and asked to drink a fifth of hard liquor as a part of an initiation rite.
"This equates to about 17 drinks of 1.5 ounces per male/female pair," Ostdiek wrote. "As a result of this organized drinking activity, at least several of the initiates became severely intoxicated. No less than four students required transport to local hospitals for emergency care."
Hazing is a criminal offense, punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail or both. Organizations that are found responsible for hazing can face fines as high as $10,000, under a 1987 Texas law.
Forman declined to say whether Rice officials had local law enforcement to investigate the incident.
The five student captains — three men and two women — have been suspended from the university for three semesters.
In all cases, my deepest condolences to family and friends.
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2004
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2005
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2006
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol
depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing,
the heartbeat and the gag reflex that prevents choking. A fatal dose of
alcohol will eventually stop these functions. After the victim stops
drinking, the heart keeps beating, and the alcohol in the stomach
continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate through the system.
The victim may experience the following:
- Mental confusion, stupor, coma, unable to rouse the person
- No response to pinching the skin
- Vomiting while sleeping or unresponsive
- Seizures
- Slowed breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
- Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
- Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness
Alcohol Poisoning Requires Immediate Medical Attention
Alcohol Poisoning Cannot Be Reversed By:
- Drinking black coffee
- Taking a cold bath or shower
- Walking it off
The victim must have immediate medical attention.
Call 911, stay with the victim to prevent him choking on vomit, and tell emergency personnel how much alcohol the victim drank.
These Children Died of Alcohol Overdose, So Their Parents Started Foundations:
Taylor Webster's memorial foundation. Taylor died of alcohol poisoning at age 19-- Now his family and friends are working to get the message out, telling their stories and providing information on alcohol poisoning and the signs and symtoms of alcohol poisoning in hopes that lives will be saved.
Bradley McCue's memorial foundation. On November 5, 1998 Bradley turned 21. . He celebrated his birthday in a way that has become increasingly popular, drinking "his age in shots". That amount of alcohol was lethal and he died that night of alcohol poisoning.
Samantha Spady's memorial foundation. A 19-year old student at Colorado State University, Spady died of alcohol poisoning on September 5, 2004, "an unintentional tragedy." The Spadys say the SAM [Student Alcohol Management] Spady Foundation will develop peer-to-peer counseling and other services meant to reduce the risk of alcohol abuse.
Gordie Bailey's memorial foundation Mission: to provide today’s youth with the skills to navigate the dangers of alcohol, and through education and promotion of self worth prevent alcohol poisoning, binge drinking and hazing.
Kimberly Ostien's memorial foundation: "With binge drinking on the rise, we feel it necessary to get the message out on the danger of alcohol, especially excessive alcohol consumed in a short period of time. Students are educated on drugs and alcohol but they will continue to experiment no matter what. We want to educate on what to do when a friend falls down or passes out from drinking. Often we want to put that person to bed to sleep it off and that is when the trouble can begin." The card lists the information, above.
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