Tea Time with Tagwa: VCU hasn’t done enough to prevent hazing
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor Tea timers, it’s been more than a month since freshman Adam Oakes was found dead at a West Clay Street house after attending a Delta Chi rush event. As of Wednesday, 46 days have passed. In VCU’s Greek life organizations, nothing has changed. Immediately following Oakes’ death, hazing in fraternities and […]
Family members of Adam Oakes push for anti-hazing legislation
Anna Chen, Contributing Writer Family members of freshman Adam Oakes and a Virginia senator are backing an adoption of stronger anti-hazing legislation more than a month after Oakes’ death at an off-campus Delta Chi fraternity event. Both Courtney White, Adam Oakes’ cousin, and Eric Oakes, Adam Oakes’ father, are pushing to make hazing a felony. […]
A month after Adam Oakes’ death, VCU grapples with misconduct in Greek life
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Although sophomore bioinformatics major Disha Trivedi had a positive experience during her first year with Kappa Phi Gamma, a South Asian interest sorority at VCU, she said she knows that’s not common for all Greek life members. Trivedi, who is also the president of Kappa Phi Gamma, said she’s heard of […]
VCU hires consulting firm in Greek life review
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer VCU’s Division of Student Affairs has hired a consulting firm that specializes in fraternities and sororities to conduct a review of the university’s Greek life following the death of freshman Adam Oakes, according to a release sent on Monday. Dyad Strategies serves schools and universities nationwide, offering courses on recruitment, hazing […]
VCU begins Greek life cessation period following Adam Oakes’ death
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Leaders of Greek life organizations sent an email to all members on Friday detailing a cessation of university fraternities and sororities, as well as the steps those groups are now required to take. The announcement follows recent national outcry over freshman Adam Oakes, who was found dead on Feb. 27 in […]
We need to take a stance on Greek life
Ishaan Nandwani, Contributing Writer Shock. Disappointment. Anger. Sadness. These were some of the many emotions I felt when I heard about the death of Adam Oakes, a 19-year-old VCU freshman who died on Feb. 27 as a result of the hazing process for the Delta Chi fraternity at VCU. Whether it’s looking at his bright-eyed […]
Staff Editorial | Adam Oakes’ death left a void in our community. VCU, Delta Chi share blame
For most VCU students, moving to Richmond is a lasting memory, marked by excitement and hopefulness. Opportunities seem endless — new places to explore, communities on campus to join, new friends to make. Our university naturally promotes the advantages of living in an urban environment, boasting a “campus with no boundaries” on its website. “The […]
Rao: Greek life review will honor Adam Oakes, create accountability
Anna Chen, Contributing Writer President Michael Rao detailed VCU’s “independent, comprehensive review” of Greek life in a statement released Tuesday. The effort follows the death of 19-year-old freshman Adam Oakes. Oakes was found dead Feb. 27 at a residence on West Clay Street. His family says a Delta Chi fraternity hazing event resulted in his […]
‘Adam had a big heart’: Family, university respond to death of VCU freshman
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer Adam Oakes, a 19-year-old VCU freshman, was found dead this past Saturday at a residence on West Clay Street. His family says a Delta Chi fraternity hazing event resulted in Adam’s death. Courtney White, Adam’s cousin, said Adam had a huge heart and was a nurturer, which set him apart from […]
Death of VCU freshman at Delta Chi event prompts investigation
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer VCU freshman Adam Oakes died over the weekend at a Delta Chi fraternity event. The university acknowledged the death and announced an investigation into the incident in a press release on Sunday. VCU mourns the death of student Adam Oakes. This is a tragic loss for Adam's family and members of […]