COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Adam Oakes was a student at Virginia Commonwealth University when he died of alcohol poisoning during a rush ceremony at an off-campus fraternity event. Officials say no one checked on him, despite showing clear signs of life-threatening alcohol poisoning and needing medical help.
Adam's dad, Eric, was visibly devastated as he talked about his son.
"When I hear things like that, it's hard for me because Adam was such a good person. He never hurt anybody," he explained.
On Friday, the University of Maryland suspended 21 fraternities and 16 sororities indefinitely. In a letter sent to those organizations, University officials stated in part, that they have reason to believe that multiple chapters have been conducting activities that threatened the safety and well-being of members of the university community.
Eric says an investigation like this at VCU might have saved his son's life.
"You have somebody's life in balance, and it shouldn't be like that," he said. "Find other things you can do - less risky as far as pledging goes."
In addition, the Office of Student Conduct and the Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life placed the organizations on a "social moratorium," which prohibits any event where there is alcohol, something Eric supports as part of the school's investigation.
"We just want the kids to love each other, care for each other, and don't harm each other," he said. "It's ridiculous the things that they're doing. Acting like making someone drink an entire bottle of whiskey is going to make you closer to brotherhood."
Adam's family has now made educating kids about safety their life's mission. In February, the Senate voted unanimously to push a bill that would require high schools in The Commonwealth to offer hazing prevention workshops to freshmen and sophomores. That bill is not headed to Governor Glenn Youngkin's desk.
The University of Maryland isn't alone in investigating Greek Life organizations. The University of Virginia canceled all of its new member and social events after an alleged hazing incident where a student pledging a fraternity is now in a coma, after drinking and falling down a flight of stairs, according to CBS 19.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.