"The Carter” – an unofficial annex of Phi Delta Theta, 1311 33rd St. Photo: Sarah Andrews
A Drake University student was rushed to Iowa Methodist Medical Center early Sunday morning for alcohol poisoning. Police reports indicate freshman Nate Erickson’s blood alcohol content was nearly .500.
Medics were sent to 1311 33rd St. to find Erickson unresponsive and “nearly unable to breathe by himself,” according to the Des Moines police report.
Erickson’s mother, Jacqueline Nickerson, told police that Erickson sent out text messages “stating that ‘they’ were making me do full cups of Everclear and that he had already done five beer can shots,” the police report states. “He even stated that ‘I’m gonna die.’”
At the hospital, medical personnel had Erickson on a ventilator. Students close to Erickson told The Times-Delphic that he is functioning and awake, but they are still unsure of any liver or brain damage. Erickson was released from the hospital Monday.
Erickson is a pledge of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. The police report said his mother was concerned that he might have been “forced to drink the alcohol as part of a hazing ritual.”
The house that Erickson was found at is commonly known as “The Carter” – an unofficial annex of Phi Delta Theta. The house is not officially linked, however, to the fraternity.
Nathen Pastorik, president of Drake’s Phi Delta Theta chapter, said once full details of Saturday’s events are compiled, the fraternity will pursue the appropriate course of action, including full disciplinary proceedings.
“The members and alumni advisers of Phi Delta Theta are working in full cooperation with officials from Drake University, Des Moines Police and the fraternity’s international office to gather complete information regarding the events of Saturday evening, Nov. 7, which led to the hospitalization of a Drake undergraduate student,” Pastorik said. “Naturally, the health and recovery of the student is paramount on everyone’s minds.”
Bob Biggs, executive vice president of Phi Delta Theta International, said that the fraternity is promptly investigating the incident and sent a representative to Drake’s campus. The representative met with chapter leaders, alumni and Drake administration this afternoon.
“First and foremost, we’re concerned about Nathan and we hope he has a full and speedy recovery from this incident,” Biggs said. “But we are investigating, trying to get the facts of the situation to understand who was involved.”
The fraternity has a strict anti-hazing policy that, if broken, could lead to membership removal or closing the chapter.
“We have a zero tolerance for hazing activities,” Biggs said.
Pastorik said he is taking all appropriate measures in this case.
“Any suggested violation of this policy will be dealt with in a most expeditious manner,” Pastorik said. “We do not, and will not, condone any activity that goes counter to fraternity and school policies and regulations.”
Biggs also said that the fraternity does not allow alcohol on its property, but wanted to make it clear that this event happened off campus and on non-fraternity property.
Lisa Lacher, Drake’s director of media relations and public relations, said the university is very concerned about any allegations of hazing, as the event was in the presence of Erickson’s “pledge dad.”
“Hazing would definitely be a violation of our Student Code of Conduct, as well as a state statute,” Lacher said. “We will be doing a very complete and intensive investigation.”
Leigh Thiedeman, director of fraternity and sorority life, said her department is not focused on the hazing allegations right now, but focusing primarily on Erickson’s health.
“Right now, we’re concerned about the student and making sure that he is healthy,” Thiedeman said. “We will deal with everything else in an appropriate manner.”
Members of Greek Life were given explicit direction not to talk to media personnel regarding this weekend’s events.
Story Updated: 11/10/2009 2:26 PM
Related story: Mother of Hospitalized Student Releases Statement
Related Story: Two students charged with hazing
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November 10th, 2009 at 1:57 AM
Let’s hope for the chapter’s closure.
November 10th, 2009 at 9:36 AM
This whole event is tragic. Not only for the student who was hospitalized but also for the members and leadership of Phi Delta Theta.
Hopefully, these events will spark some conversation and serve as a learning experience for all involved.
Until society as a whole addresses the larger problem — the acceptability of excessive drinking in our culture — this won’t be the last time something like this happens.
It could have just as easily been another one of the fraternities or sororities on campus facing this issue, so I would be careful not to cast the first stone.
November 10th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Let’s hope that a few bad apples doesn’t mean the rest of the chapter has to pay for it. Thank god that kid is ok. My support is with the men of Phi Delt as they go through this tragedy and I’m sure the appropriate people will be punished. 34th street is a community.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Gee, do ya think our Government’s should finally listen to our 10,000+ requests for HEALTH WARNING LABELS ON ALL LIQUOR CONTAINERS ???
Like what they did a while back to Cigarette Packages ??
Hhmmm ?
May God help us all…
November 10th, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Close the Chapter for good, if not then you are supporting this behavior period. Save the “few bad apples” excuse.
November 10th, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Phi Delta Theta was on of the first chapters (nationally) to ban alcohol in offical Fraternity Houses or Lodges. The national chapter is doing everything they can to keep the kids safe. This matter will be looked into with prying eyes and the guilty parties will be dealt with.
By NO MEANS, should they punish the entire chapter. Thankfully the kid is ok. I will be anxious to see if the parents press charges.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:04 PM
If those students are not expelled, it will be a sign of Drake’s weakness. They don’t deserve to be in a fraternity or at Drake.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:13 PM
get real here. phi delt is the shadiest and the worst on campus. theyre all like that. and the carter is so they dont get caught drinking in the frat house, although they smoke illegal drugs in there. get real drake! get rid of the chapter and let drake get rid of a lazy, bad frat.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:27 PM
who is this kid talking to the reporter outside “tha carter”
http://www.kcci.com/video/21570367/index.html
November 10th, 2009 at 6:30 PM
With all due respect Aaron, you don’t know the students.
Why don’t we let Drake, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Phi Delta Theta International and the Dean of Students decide what to do with two men who, make no mistake, did a really stupid thing last weekend but who, for all you know, are otherwise good students and upstanding citizens.
November 10th, 2009 at 9:42 PM
If they were good students you’d think they would have realized how amazingly idiotic and irresponsible it was to encourage a pledge to drink full cups of Everclear. I mean, seriously? Full cups of Everclear? It’s incredibly lucky this kid is not dead. Good students my ass.
November 10th, 2009 at 10:30 PM
“get real here. phi delt is the shadiest and the worst on campus. theyre all like that. and the carter is so they dont get caught drinking in the frat house, although they smoke illegal drugs in there. get real drake! get rid of the chapter and let drake get rid of a lazy, bad frat.”
This generalization is completely biased and unfair to the men of Phi Delta Theta. You cannot judge all members based on the actions of a few. These types of behaviors may or may not only happen within this particular house – this incident could he facing any house. Let us all learn from it and let the proper administrations make the best possible decision.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:50 AM
“get real here. phi delt is the shadiest and the worst on campus. theyre all like that. and the carter is so they dont get caught drinking in the frat house, although they smoke illegal drugs in there. get real drake! get rid of the chapter and let drake get rid of a lazy, bad frat.
This generalization is completely biased and unfair to the men of Phi Delta Theta. You cannot judge all members based on the actions of a few. These types of behaviors may or may not only happen within this particular house – this incident could he facing any house. Let us all learn from it and let the proper administrations make the best possible decision.”
No, but we can judge them by their chosen representatives. Look who they have for a President. Nate Pastorik has been accused of a wide variety of shady activity. He was picked up on a public intox this past year and is currently on probation for a criminal mischief charge.
(see Iowa Courts Online)
So, he’s the President of this frat. The Phi Delts chose him to represent their house. Should we be surprised by the events that have transpired?
November 11th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Drew-B, this could have been ANY student–Greek or not–on this campus, or any campus across America. We also don’t know the kind of student or person the victim in this situation is, and we’re all quick to pass judgment that falls in his favor over Otto and Hatchett.
The entire situation was idiotic. People do stupid things. People make mistakes. They’re in COLLEGE. It’s not an excuse, it’s the truth. But that makes them no less human, no less deserving of a fair chance to live the rest of their lives normally or, god forbid, just finish their education.
So let’s just say again that yes, thank god no one died, and let the administration and proper authorities handle this in whatever way they see fit.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:26 PM
It may not be an excuse, it may be the truth but you’re belittling the fact that they broke state, university, and fraternal policies and laws. The reason we pass judgeship on Otto and Hatchett is because they were supposed to be the responsible adults. They may be in college, but they are adults, they are held accountable for their actions. I don’t have a problem with either of them, they are nice guys, but they do deserve to be punished and judged, they put it on themselves. And whether or not this could happen on any campus with any student (which it does), is irrelevant. It happened here, and they knew what they were doing prior to doing it. They knew the risks involved, and they knew the consequences. This is college Holly, and whether you like it or not, it’s the adult world, and in the real world when you mess up, you don’t get to walk away from it free, and they shouldn’t.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:24 PM
“get real here. phi delt is the shadiest and the worst on campus. theyre all like that. and the carter is so they dont get caught drinking in the frat house, although they smoke illegal drugs in there. get real drake! get rid of the chapter and let drake get rid of a lazy, bad frat.”
This makes me sick. Clearly you have no involvement or familiarity with what the greek systems stands for. You pass judgement based solely on your “frat stereotypes”. Is drinking part of the greek system. Unfortunately in many cases yes. I can argue that the collegiate experience in general, greek or non-greek, involves drinking and risky activities. We all make choices, good or bad.
It is a time in life where you are faced with mounting pressures and decisions. A period of growth and developing maturity. I do not see the point of degrading the greek system, specifically Phi Delta Theta, for the mistakes which were made here. Punishment to those involved and fair judgment are in order. Believe me when I say the national fraternity will come down on the chapter very hard, with possible charter revocation. Hopefully it will not come to that, but Phi Delt will no doubt be under the microscope for quite some time due to these unfortunate events.
There are bad eggs in every fraternity and sorority just like there are bad eggs in every residence hall. Guess what, there are bad eggs in life too. It does not go away when you enter the real world. It is part of life and we learn to deal with them. Ease off on your greek bashing and lets let the proper authorities and those involved sort things out and appropriate punishments dealt.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Unless the frat members were physically holding this kid’s mouth open and pouring the drinks down, the primary fault here rests with Nate.
I’m a Drake grad (JO’ 96) and did not join a frat while there. I don’t understand the mentality Nate displayed here, that the need to belong is so strong that he was willing to knowingly put his life in jeopardy. Is the desire to be called a brother really that all-encompassing? Sure, the guys who conducted this little exercise are stupid and partially responsible, but come on… Nate’s big enough to be away at college, he should be big enough to display at least a hint of common sense.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:28 PM
John, I don’t think anybody would argue Nate is partially responsible too, but the primary fault is not in the victim. It is in the fraternity brothers who hazed him, and are supposed to be responsible representatives of the fraternity. And I know you didn’t join a frat because you clearly don’t understand the bond of being a brother. To become a brother is to trust your brothers to keep you safe, and that is what he was doing. He can be held responsible for choosing to drink, but he was told to trust his brothers to keep him safe. While I’m sure they didn’t want it to go this way and didn’t want him to get hurt, they still displayed poor judgment and the brotherly care a frat should display.