Editor’s note: This is the fourth part of a Penn State student-written, six-part series that explores the fallout of the Timothy Piazza hazing death in 2017. This week, the series’ focus shifts to the parents’ perspective and looks at their worries in sending their children off to college. Background | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Steve and Theresa Booz never knew Tim Piazza, the Penn State student who died from a hazing and alcohol-induced incident in February 2017, but they know college kids partake in excessive drinking at a dangerous level too often.
The Boozes’ worst fear, like many other parents’, is that something like this could happen to their children. They are skeptical of the school’s Greek life.
“It makes me sick,” said Theresa Booz, of Berwyn, while in State College visiting her daughter in October.
Piazza died from a night of hazing and drinking at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house on Penn State’s campus. He was forced to consume at least 18 drinks within an hour and 22 minutes and later fell down the stairs, which knocked him unconscious. It was estimated that he had a blood-alcohol level of .36 during the night of his fatal injuries.
“I don’t like frats because of the abuse they give kids,” said Greg Buczkowski from Glenshaw, who is a parent of a freshman. “I don’t believe in hazing at all, and I don’t know why kids do it at such a dangerous level.”
The first 911 call was made 12 hours after Piazza became unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center the next morning.
“I believe the hazing incident was a terrible tragedy, brought on by a Greek culture that was largely unsupervised and more than a little out of control,” said Dave Holdridge, from State College, who has a son who is a sophomore at Penn State.
More than two dozen members of the fraternity and the fraternity itself were charged in connection with the death of Piazza. Some saw charges dropped or dismissed. Others pleaded guilty to misdemeanors and received probation and fines, a few receiving house arrest. Two cases are still pending.
Some parents said that everyone involved had a bit of responsibility for the death of Piazza and that it is only fair they face consequences for their actions.
“I am sure individually they are probably great kids,” said Darcy Windows, whose son is a senior. “But when we make poor decisions, we have to live with the consequences. There are too many issues with hazing, and I think the kids need to realize when they take things too far, they are liable.”
Jamison Steffan, a local parent, believes this will lead to the end of Greek life.
“This is truly a horrific incident,” said Steffen, whose son attends Penn State. “Each and every one of those young men had the ability to stop this tragedy from happening, including Timothy Piazza himself, and not one of them stepped up.
“As these tragedies continue to happen around the country, I think we are witnessing the end of Greek life,” Steffen said.
Cathy Marinucci, from Ambler, revealed her worry for her daughter who is involved in Greek life at Penn State.
“As a parent whose child is a sorority member, at the time of his death I was extremely saddened and frightened for my child’s welfare,” Marinucci said. “I was angry at the school for not policing these hazing activities and allowing them to continue to the degree that they were.”
Colleen Hannegan, from Canonsburg, who is the mother of two seniors, thought the court judgments the students received were not enough given the severity of what happened.
“I know they didn’t intend his death, but I think they should have definitely gotten manslaughter charges,” said Hannegan.
‘THE COLLEGE WAY’
Underage drinking is a common worry for parents when sending their kids off to college, and Piazza’s death has made them question how closely Penn State monitors the underage drinking problem.
“It’s hard not to worry about underage drinking there after the fraternity’s hazing incident,” said Diane Roe, from Eynon. “Maybe they can find a way to achieve somewhat of a decline in underage drinking at fraternities, like having to be 21 years old to attend a party.”
Sean Caviston, who manages a local restaurant, has concerns for parents not only educating their kids on the health risk of drinking, but has encountered parents promoting underage drinking as well.
“I have had to deal with parents who return to campus to relive their college days and are dismissive of the laws when we card their son or daughter who is underage,” said Caviston. “The parents will get mad at us and try and slip the kid drinks because that’s the college way. Is it really a wonder as to why such things as Timothy’s death occurred?”
Some parents whose children are considering Penn State are also worried for their sons and daughters, according to interviews with several in the Scranton area.
Kathleen Romanski, from Archbald, voiced her concern as a parent of a prospective student joining Greek life on campus.
“The tragic death of that poor boy has definitely left me worried about my son wanting to go to Penn State,” said Romanski. “I’m still unsure if I would allow him to join a fraternity there. I don’t want to have to worry constantly about him.”
Her husband, Dave Romanski, said it is time for Penn State Greek life to end for good.
“After the loss suffered for the Piazza family, I really don’t see a point in continuing Greek life there,” said Romanski. “After something terrible like that happened due to Greek life shenanigans, I’d say it’s time to put a stop to it.”
Some parents felt that it can easily happen at any other chapter on campus.
“I mean, I like the idea of them closing that fraternity, for sure,” said Tim Callejas, a father from Scranton, referring to the university’s decision to close the Beta Theta Pi chapter. “But who is to say it can’t happen at another fraternity? I would have a hard time not being skeptical of my son joining a fraternity there.”
THE UNIVERSITY TAKES ACTION
After Piazza’s death, Penn State not only banned the chapter, but also set rules and regulations on recruitment and parties with the rest of Greek life. It deferred recruitment, capped party attendance, banned hard liquor and kegs and required sober party monitors.
It has also adopted a no-tolerance policy against hazing.
Kevin Windows, a parent of a senior at Penn State and the husband of Darcy Windows, feels the stricter rules put on Greek life are necessary.
“We do support Penn State putting stricter rules on Greek life,” said Windows. “I feel there should be more oversight by the university when dealing with fraternities or sororities.”
Others believe the university was going to be criticized regardless of how administrators handled the scandal.
“I think they have handled it the only way that they could,” said Steffen, the parent from State College. “No matter what they did, it was going to be perceived as being too lenient or too harsh. It is a no-win situation.
“The truth of the matter at hand is they could have had better control of the fraternities a long time ago.”
Rachel Lenberger, Maddy Jorich and Chris Benedict are Comm460 journalism students at Penn State.
