[Vision2020] Press Release from Moscow Police Department

[Warren Hayman]

Hi All,

Can we wait until confirmation of alcohol involvement, and in the meantime 
hope and pray if you do for the well-being of a seriously injured human 
being currently in Harborview?

Warren Hayman

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
To: "Shelley Roderick" <cjsnightclub at cableone.net>
Cc: "v2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 3:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Press Release from Moscow Police Department


>
> 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.
>
> -------------------------------------------
>
> 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."
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------
>
> 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
>
>
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