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The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at the University of California-Irvine has been placed on interim suspension following the death of Noah Domingo, an 18-year-old who died at an off-campus home on Sunday, January 13.
What Happened?
Domingo — an 18-year-old from La Crescenta, California — passed away around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 13.
According to his Domingo’s father, Noah attended a “big brother/little brother” party — a rush week event for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity — on the night of Friday, January 11.
The next day, on the morning on January 12, Domingo’s parents were informed of their son’s death. Domingo’s father said that at this time he has “no idea how Noah died.”
In an email, Edgar J. Dormitorio, the interim vice chancellor of student affairs at UC-Irvine, said that police are currently investigating the incident.
“Our hearts go out to the student’s family and community of friends who have been impacted by this incident,” the university’s email statement said.
In addition to the suspension and the investigation, Dormitorio said that the school will be working with the university’s Greek life organizations to ensure members are “engaging in behaviors and practices that are in alignment with university policies and their own values.”
“We will … closely examine the larger context in which this tragedy occurred and will be working with the Greek community to help ensure that they are engaging in behaviors and practices that are in alignment with university policies and their own values,” Dormitorio said.
As a result of the interim suspension, the fraternity must cease all activities.
Any students who need assistance are encouraged to contact the school’s Counseling Center by calling 949-824-6457 or emailing counseling.uci.edu.
The interim suspension of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of California-Irvine is the latest major Greek life suspension, expulsion, disaffiliation, or overhaul in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State, and Penn State have all suspended fraternities for various reasons.
Fraternities have been suspended or expelled across the nation as Greek life organizations and universities attempt to grapple with the pitfalls of hazing, alcohol and drug abuse, and sexual assault.
Schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State, and Penn State have all suspended or expelled fraternities for various reasons.
