The Skidmore student's death marks the first time in three years that a student has died at UD in an alcohol-related incident, according to university spokeswoman Andrea Boyle Tippett. In 2013, UD sophomore Ethan Connolly was struck by a pickup truck while walking with friends on Route 896, south of Interstate 95. Golden was best friends with a local member of Sigma Pi, said Walker, and was visiting him during spring break. Scarangello, who owns at least five rentals in the area, declined to comment. Last month, the chapter advertised a spring rush event at the three-story residence.
Owned by Elkton landlord Anthony Scarangello II, the home was listed as the only address for the Sigma Pi chapter in a 2014 IRS filing. In an earlier interview, Jason Walker, interim executive director of the national Sigma Pi organization, confirmed that the house was rented by a number of Sigma Pi members. "We are investigating along with the school to try to figure out what happened and our condolences go out to the families of those involved," he said. Fraternity brothers and Sigma Pi's Lebanon, Tennessee-based international chapter did not respond to repeated requests for comment last week. Universities have spent millions of dollars trying to educate students on the perils of excessive alcohol consumption, along with sanctioning and banning fraternities notorious for "Animal House" antics.Įstablished in 2006, the 80-member fraternity was previously placed on probation by UD through spring of 2016 for multiple violations, according to university records. prevent those circumstances from arising, but it is difficult," Newark police Deputy Chief Kevin Feeney said. Newark landlords aren't required to register their leases with the city, which could give enforcement officers more leverage in discouraging rooftop cavorting.
Police and city code enforcement officers can't be everywhere at once to warn students of dangerous behavior, Newark city officials said, and they must weigh individual property rights. That day, police made 58 criminal arrests, including 16 charges of underage alcohol possession or consumption, and broke up 16 parties. Patrick's Day festivities, city police dispatched 22 additional officers on March 19, along with several agents from Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement. More than 1,800 college students ages 18 to 24 died from alcohol-related unintentional injuries last year, including vehicle crashes, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Ĭloser to home, Newark Police logged 461 criminal alcohol charges last year. In anticipation of St.
It's common sense."Ĭommon sense is a scarce commodity when national statistics show that nearly two out of three college students who drank alcohol in the past month engaged in binge drinking, defined as more than five drinks in a sitting for a man and four for a woman. "People don't put things like 'don't fall off the roof' or 'don't fall out a window' in their leases. "A landlord's responsible to offer decent housing in exchange for decent rent," said Bruce Harvey, who owns seven rentals in Newark. In the end, however, they can't substitute for individual judgment. How does a community prevent such tragedies in the future and who should be held accountable? Local police, code inspectors, landlords and city and university officials agree that increased patrols, citations and alcohol education play their part. With that one misstep, a young man whose college adventure had just begun joined countless other students across the country who have died after teetering on roofs, balconies and fire escapes. And Golden, a fierce competitor known for his effortless ability to make people smile, fell 30 feet to his death. Main St. near the University of Delaware, according to witnesses. A light rain pelted discarded beer cans and bottles. Scoring an empty-netter, he sealed the victory for the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds, prompting raucous cheers from his teammates.īut on the afternoon of March 19, the 20-year-old stood alone on a roof at an unofficial fraternity house at 153 W. Neighbors say the home houses brothers in the Sigma Pi fraternity who regularly throw rowdy rooftop celebrations.Įarlier this year, Willem "Goldie" Golden bagged his first hockey goal as a college freshman.Police and city officials say they're working to address issues with homes and parties.
Patrick's Day after falling from a roof of a Newark home.