In the wake of a student's death, Dartmouth College has imposed suspensions on a fraternity and a sorority, pending an investigation into potential hazing.
The student, 20-year-old Won Jang, was found deceased in the Connecticut River over the weekend.
According to The Independent, the Greek life organizations affected by this decision are the fraternity Beta Alpha Omega and the sorority Alpha Phi. Jana Barnello, a spokesperson for the college, communicated the decision via email on Tuesday. The suspension restricts these organizations from participating in Greek life activities, receiving funding, or recruiting new members. The only individuals permitted to enter the Greek houses are those residing within them.
The tragic discovery of Jang's body in the Connecticut River on Sunday has sparked this investigation. The young man was a member of Beta Alpha Omega, and it is suspected that he attended an event on Saturday, hosted by both suspended organizations, where alcohol was present. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reported that Jang was last seen by friends around 9.30pm at the gathering, which took place at a dock near Dartmouth College on the river.
Barnello expressed the college's profound grief over Jang's untimely death, stating, "The entire Dartmouth community is grieving over the tragic loss of Won Jang. Our counseling team has been by the familys side since yesterday, and Dartmouth is providing every possible support it can to Wons parents, family and friends." She also mentioned that the college is cooperating fully with the Hanover Police Department, which is leading the investigation.
Hanover Police Chief Charles Dennis revealed to WMUR-TV that his office had received an anonymous tip suggesting hazing may have contributed to Jang's death. This claim is currently under investigation.
At the time of Jang's death, Beta Alpha Omega was already on alcohol probation, following suspensions during the fall, winter, and spring terms. Alpha Phi had also been placed on probation in the fall of 2023 but had since returned to "good standing," as reported by The Dartmouth, the universitys student newspaper. The university typically places organizations on alcohol probation when they are found to have improperly served alcohol. More serious or repeated misconduct can lead to suspension.
Jang, originally from Middletown, Delaware, was an undergraduate student set to graduate in 2026. He held positions as a project manager at the DALI Lab, a student design program for building websites and apps, and as a research assistant at the Thayer School of Engineering. College Dean Scott Brown praised Jang's active participation in the Dartmouth community and his pursuit of academic and personal passions.
This incident marks the second time this year a Dartmouth student has been found dead in the Connecticut River. In May, Kexin Cai, a 26-year-old second-year doctoral student studying psychological and brain sciences, was found dead in the river five days after she went missing.
As the Dartmouth community grapples with these tragic losses, the ongoing investigations into Jang's death and the potential role of hazing and alcohol misuse within Greek life organizations underscore the urgent need for vigilance and accountability in ensuring student safety.
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