Attorney Says Piazza Family Disappointed In New Greek Life Reform
Jim and Evelyn Piazza, the parents of student Tim Piazza who died after falling multiple times at Beta Theta Pi fraternity’s bid acceptance night, released a letter to the Board of Trustees Thursday night outlining changes they hoped to see in Penn State’s Greek life regulation during the Board’s off-cycle meeting Friday. Now, the family’s lawyer says they’re disappointed in the Board’s decisions.
“The action of the Board today was aspirational, not concrete,” attorney Tom Kline told The Daily Collegian. “There is nothing different than Feb. 4, which is the night Tim Piazza died.”
Kline criticized the Board for not imposing any specific measures about those responsible for Piazza’s death — especially the 18 former Beta Theta Pi members who were charged last month. The university has previously said these individuals will go through the student conduct process. A graduation hold was also placed on anyone who was slated to graduate at the end of the spring semester.
The Board of Trustees did impose some measures recommended by the Piazzas, including more strict hazing regulations, lobbying for more strict hazing laws, and increasing staff monitoring of fraternity houses. However, Kline says it’s time for the university to create real change.
“The Piazza family is looking forward to the day when we see actual written policies, procedures and regulations implemented by the Board of Trustees,” Kline said. “We hope to have a significant contributing voice in that process.”
Your ad blocker is on.
Please choose an option below.
Purchase a Subscription!