Binge-Drinking Death Changes Alcohol Policies at Rider

Colleges agrees to tighter alcohol policies

Legal closure was recently reached in the alcohol-poisoning death of Rider University student Gary DeVercelly Jr. more than two years ago.

Rider settled a lawsuit with the family of the 18-year-old California student who died from alcohol poisoning at a fraternity event in 2007.

Neither the university, located in Lawrenceville, N.J., nor DeVercelly’s family disclosed financial terms.

The university agreed to ban social events that involve alcohol in dorms and on-campus fraternity and sorority houses, strengthen sanctions for alcohol violations and to tell parents about incidents.

Other changes already in practice included imposing stiffer sanctions for hazing, putting live-in directors in Greek houses and posting information about fraternity misconduct on a Web site.

The university will also encourage students to get help for peers who have medical problems due to alcohol use without fear of repercussions.

Garden State lawmakers also took on binge drinking by holding special hearings about alcohol on campus.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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