[Vision2020] Press Release from Moscow Police Department

[Tom Hansen]

Shelley Roderick inquires:

"Can anyone tell me if there has ever been a citation issued to any house
on UoI campus for any alcohol related incident?"

Granted, Shelley, that something needs to be done, as far as under-age
drinking is concerned.  But prevention is the responsibility of the
fraternity/sorority.  Fraternities and sororities must establish, and most
have, alcohol policies, and enforce them.

UI Sororities and fraternities are located on private property.  The only
action theat the university can do is bar the sorority's/fraternity's
charter if violations become habitual.

Other than that, off-campus alcohol sources (i.e. grocery stores, taverns,
etc.) must be monitored for sales of alcohol to minors and those found in
violation should be severely punished.

The Moscow Police Department does an excellent job, but even they can only
do so much.  Do you have any idea how many under-aged DUI's,
minor-in-possession,etc. are recorded daily in the "Public records"
section of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News?  I suggest you look them over
for this semester.  You might be surprised.

And now for general information . . .

As far as alcohol-related incidents are concerned . . .

Who can forget Sigma Alpha Epsilon's "Jack Daniel's Birthday" which also
was sponsored by Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and Beta Theta Pi's "50 Ways
to Lose Your Liver" back in March of 1999.

Courtesy of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News archives.

LEWISTON -- Bryan Ulmer told the Idaho Supreme Court Thursday that Rejena
Coghlan liked what Alpha Phi sorority could offer her at the University of
Idaho.

As an 18-year-old freshman pledge, Coghlan was excited about becoming part
of the house and happy about what she thought she could contribute to the
Greek residence, Ulmer said.

But six years after a fall from the sorority's third-floor fire escape
that paralyzed her from the waist down, Ulmer told the state's highest
court that Alpha Phi neglected to live up to Coghlan's expectations.
Ulmer, Coghlan's Jackson, Wyo., attorney, told the Supreme Court that,
despite what was decided at the district court level, Alpha Phi had a duty
to care for Coghlan the night of her 1993 drunken fall.

Coghlan took her fight against the sorority, three UI fraternities, UI and
the Idaho Board of Education to the Supreme Court after 1996 and 1997
dismissals of all the defendants in her case. All were relieved of their
liability for Coghlan's fall by 2nd District Judge Ida Leggett.

At the time of the investigation, Coghlan told police she was served
alcohol at two UI fraternity parties -- Sigma Alpha Epsilon's "Jack
Daniel's Birthday" which also was sponsored by Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity,
and Beta Theta Pi's "50 Ways to Lose Your Liver." Police reports said she
drank more than six beers and mixed drinks before returning to the
sorority that evening.

"She was encouraged to drink by her new sorority sisters," Ulmer said.

After the parties, Coghlan was taken home and put to bed in the
third-floor sleeping porch of the sorority and shortly after, fell 30-feet
from the fire escape.

Ulmer argued that Coghlan had a special relationship with her sorority
similar to the relationship between an inn keeper and a guest. He said
that relationship meant Coghlan had an expectation of safety while she was
part of the sorority. Ulmer said part of the sorority pledge was that
sisters kept each other safe.

That policy, Ulmer told the Supreme Court, was especially clear through
the houses "guardian angel" program. As a policy of the house, Alpha Phi
pledges were assigned to an older member with the responsibility of
watching over them during the year and during the Aug. 19, 1993, "Rush
Week" celebration.

But Chief Justice Linda Trout questioned whether it was Alpha Phi, the
institution, or individual sorority members who could be held responsible
for Coghlan's injury.

Ulmer said, since the program was part of the sorority's policy, that
Coghlan had an expectation of care from the sorority. He said that care
should've continued when Coghlan, with a .25 percent blood alcohol level,
was put to bed on the sleeping porch. Ulmer said a sorority sister
should've stayed with Coghlan until she no was longer intoxicated.

Ulmer also said the UI had a duty to care for Coghlan since there is an
expectation by students and parents that universities should be safe,
including parties authorized and sanctioned by the schools.

"(Rush week parties) are activities the university is allowing on its
campus and is aware of," Ulmer said.

However, UI attorney Richard Greener said the university had no duty to
Coghlan since she was an adult who voluntarily consumed alcohol.

Alpha Phi's attorney Chris Kurley agreed that Coghlan chose her actions.
He said she was not required to drink or attend the fraternities' parties
and was not forced to do either by the sorority.

The Supreme Court is expected to make a decision on the Coghlan case in
the next few months.

If successful with the suit against all or some of the defendants, the
case will be sent back to the district court.

----------------------------------------------------

Just a couple more previous incidents . . .

Student death: Toxicology points to alcohol poisiong
Posted on: Wednesday, June 11, 2003

Alcohol poisoning has been ruled as the cause of death of a University of
Idaho student whose body was discovered inside a Moscow fraternity house
two weeks ago.

Toxicology reports received by the Moscow Police Department show Nick
Cannon, 21, of Troy, died accidentally from alcohol toxicity.

Police Capt. Don Lanpher said police discovered no evidence of foul play
in Cannon's death and have closed the investigation of the incident

Cannon's body was discovered the evening of May 24 inside an apartment at
the Sigma Chi fraternity on Nez Perce Street. The apartment had formerly
been occupied by his cousin. The fraternity typically rents out its
apartments during summer months.

Cannon was known to have been drinking the evening of his death. He was
last seen at a bar on Main Street in Moscow, according to police reports.

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Fall at UI Fraternity sends female student to Moscow hospital
September 7, 2001

Moscow police are investigating the Thursday injury of a female University
of Idaho student in a fall from a UI fraternity window.

The injured woman was transported to Gritman Medical Center. Her condition
was not available.

She reportedly was hurt in a fall at 1 a.m. at the Phi Kappa Tau
fraternity house, at 620 Idaho Avenue.

Alcohol is believed to have contributed to the accident.

Hal Godwin, vice president of student affairs, said the student, a
freshman, had broken her legs.

He said he understood the woman had fallen while attempting to reach the
ground from a window of the fraternity by crawling down ivy.

There was not an official party ongoing. "It appears we are talking about
horseplay that got out of control."

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Seeya at Farmers' Market, and . . .

Cheers, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown