San Diego State suspends 14 fraternities after 'devastating' death of freshman student

Kristin Lam | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Fraternity tied to decades of deaths at the hands of hazing Fraternities have announced sweeping changes in recent years, but families of young men who have died in hazing-related incidents say it's not enough.

A San Diego State University freshman died after allegedly attending a fraternity event last week, prompting the school to suspend all Interfraternity Council-affiliated organizations.

Emergency responders took Dylan Hernandez to the hospital Thursday morning, and his family "gave their goodbyes late Sunday night," university President Adela de la Torre said in a statement Monday.

Out of the 14 organizations on campus, six were already suspended and four were under investigation before last week's incident, the university said. The indefinite suspension notice – which did not note the cause of Hernandez's death – prevents all organizations from hosting activities.

"Each of us, including our students, must uphold the highest standards that do not put the health and safety of anyone at risk," de la Torre said.

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She added: "As a mother, nothing can replace the profound loss of a child, and the devastating heartbreak the family and their loved ones are experiencing. All of us in the Aztec family are sending our prayers and are here to support the family."

University police are investigating why Hernandez required medical attention after allegedly attending a fraternity event Wednesday night. Police involvement began after a 911 call requesting help for Hernandez, who was in a residence hall at the time.

Hernandez, 19, came to the 34,000-student university from Jacksonville, Florida, according to a GoFundMe page.

"Dylan was an outgoing, light hearted and goofy person who had so much love to give to everyone he met," the page says. "He never failed to make everyone in the room smile and his laugh was infectious."

Campus therapists will be available, de la Torre said.

San Diego State estimates 3,600 of its students are members of the 46 recognized sorority and fraternity chapters on campus.

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The suspended fraternities are: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Delta Sigma Phi, Delta Upsilon, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Psi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Theta Chi and Zeta Beta Tau.

Other campus Greek organizations are not affected by the suspension, university officials said.