Bowling Green State University students called for change in culture and policy after the death of a
sophomore in an alleged hazing incident last week.
About 75 people marched from BGSU’s Greek village to the president’s office on Tuesday morning, after
holding a moment of silence for Stone Foltz. Foltz died Sunday after Thursday’s off-campus incident
where he reportedly drank a bottle of alcohol.
Emmalyn York, a creative writing major and a senior from Luckey, was marching and holding a sign with
“Justice for Stone” on it.
“Like many people here, I didn’t know Stone, but I was really affected by what happened,” she said.
The 911 call disturbed her.
“Just to hear the people who cared about Stone, who are in such distress at his passing and have to deal
with his passing, it never should have happened,” she said.
York, an Eastwood High School graduate, said that the fraternity involved, Pi Kappa Alpha, should have
been banished from campus years ago for previous violations.
“I’m ashamed that this university that I have attended for four years now — I grew up in the area, I went
to the high school honor bands here, so I’ve been around BG a long time — and this is kind of the last
straw for me, that they have let it get to this point,” York said.
“They value their fraternity culture more than they value the campus life that we students are living.”
Greek life at BGSU should be banned, she said.
“I say that with my entire soul,” she said. “There needs to be complete and utter change.”
Students marched from fraternity row to McFall Center, where the office of President Rodney Rogers is
located. They were urged by event organizers to write Rogers and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
In his Monday press briefing, DeWine said, “Let us resolve that Ohio will become a hazing-free state.
Tomorrow I will be talking with all our state university presidents about this issue.”
Both Ohio Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, and Ohio Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg, have said
they will sponsor legislation.
Hannah Lee, a freshman forensic chemistry major, wants to see more severe consequences for hazing and
other issues.
“It just needs stronger punishment and stronger rules so this never happens again,” she said.
Lee said that the university administration should be moved by the march.
“I think that once they see the show of support from people who didn’t even know him and once they see us
marching, demanding change, it will hopefully make a difference,” she said.
Aarian Lynn, a second-year political science pre-law major from Cincinnati, said Foltz’s death could have
been prevented.
“It just breaks my heart that this even had to happen, especially something so senseless like this,” she
said.
Lynn said BGSU change must start at the top.
“This situation just really touched my heart,” she said. “I just really think our institution really
needs to update our policies on hazing and I just really hope the university can take this as a learning
point and we can have some very good initiatives come out of this.
“Hopefully, we never have a tragedy like this again.”
Connor Oneal said he rushed for a fraternity while a freshman at BGSU, but quit when he said the peer
press and alcohol abuse was too much.
“I don’t think it’s really a secret that there’s an alcohol culture here at BG, especially in the
fraternities,” said Oneal, a graphic design major and an Anthony Wayne High School graduate. “You have
to drink with us … you have to keep up with us.”
David Pickett, a senior criminal justice major, said he did not know Foltz but felt compelled to join the
protest.
“When it hits your campus, it’s kind of more startling, shocking,” he said. “I think it happens more than
you think.”
Caeli Melland, a sophomore from Cleveland, said hazing and alcohol abuse is widespread around campus
groups.
“It breaks my heart and disgusts me that this is what’s happening here, and something needs to be done,”
she said.
Alex Solis, deputy chief of staff and University spokesperson, issued the following statement on Tuesday
afternoon:
“Nearly 75 students from across our community came together today to grieve the tragic loss of Stone
Foltz and peacefully express their voices. Many of them shared personal experiences and concerns.
"We hear them. We support them, and we share in their outrage about the alleged hazing activity from
Thursday night. Hazing in any form has no place at BGSU.
"Immediately upon learning of the incident last week, BGSU placed Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity on
interim suspension. Following that action, we suspended all new member intake processes and on- and
off-campus social events for Greek life and also announced plans to work with third parties to conduct a
comprehensive review of all student organizations and activities for more accountability and
transparency.
"During today’s events, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor
Randy Gardner joined a virtual meeting of the Inter-University Council of Ohio, which included BGSU
President Rodney Rogers and all other presidents of all the state’s public universities. BGSU
appreciates their deep care and attention to this tragic alleged hazing situation. BGSU also joins
statewide support of Collin’s Law, legislation that ensures Ohio is a hazing-free state and elevates
severe consequences for those unacceptable actions. We also appreciate the support of our legislative
delegation, including Sen. Theresa Gavarone, Rep. Haraz Ghanbari and Rep. D.J. Swearingen of this
issue.”
BGSU is continuing to work with local law enforcement, who are actively taking the lead in investigating
these unfolding events. The university is also pursuing our own student code of conduct investigation.
BGSU has placed Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity on interim suspension. At this time, the fraternity is not
currently recognized as a registered student organization. The fraternity’s Greek letters have been
removed from its on-campus residence and removed all reference to the fraternity as a student
organization on the website.
BGSU has suspended all new member intake processes and on- and off-campus social events of chapters in
all four Greek councils, including the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National
Pan-Hellenic Council and College Panhellenic Conference.
All day on Saturday, student leaders from the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council,
National Pan-Hellenic Council, College Panhellenic Conference, Undergraduate Student Government and the
undergraduate student representative to the board of trustees worked with staff members to begin to
address the short- and long-term future of fraternity and sorority life at BGSU.
BGSU continues its work with Greek student leaders and consulting with third parties to conduct a
comprehensive review of all student organizations and activities for more accountability and
transparency.
(Multi-media journalist J.D. Pooley did the student interviews for this story.)
