Cornell University officially derecognized Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity in response to the death of sophomore George Desdunes on Feb. 25, according to The Cornell Daily Sun. Desdunes, a member of SAE, died after consuming alcohol "while in the care of certain members and associate members" of the fraternity, according to a statement by Cornell Vice President of Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy. Following the University's decision, SAE loses "all privileges and benefits bestowed upon a recognized fraternity or sorority," including use of campus facilities for fraternity functions, use of Cornell's name and participation in various social and educational programs, Murphy said in an interview with The Daily Sun. SAE members will be required to vacate the fraternity's physical plant by March 31 and will be relocated to campus housing. Desdunes died at a local hospital after he was found unresponsive in the fraternity's physical plant the morning of Feb. 25, The Daily Sun reported.
Despite heightened efforts to increase economic diversity, an analysis of the U.S. Department of Education data found that the number of low-income students at the 50 wealthiest colleges and universities has remained relatively constant over the past five years, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. The study revealed that the percentage of students receiving Pell Grants federal need-based grants for students has remained relatively constant at approximately 15 percent from academic years 2004-2005 to 2008-2009. This trend is due to elite schools' inability to expand "the pool of students who are applying," Christopher Avery, a professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, said in an interview with The Chronicle.
Several colleges and universities across the country have cancelled spring events and parties due to concern regarding excessive alcohol consumption and student safety, according to Inside Higher Ed. The University of Connecticut canceled its traditional Spring Weekend event in response to a student's death following last year's celebration and a subsequent lawsuit. After a St. Patrick's Day riot by students that caused $12,000 in damages, the State University of New York at Albany decided to cancel its annual spring Fountain Day, a tradition that dates back 40 years, Inside Higher Ed reported. Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University have discouraged students from participating in an April Fool's Day event that promoted student drinking. While some students have expressed outrage on various social media websites, others acknowledged that certain traditions have become too dangerous to justify continuation, Inside Higher Ed reported.
