"Father blames UCLA fraternity for son's death"

Last Saturday an eighteen-year-old man was found dead on a mattress at the UCLA Theta Chi fraternity house. Authorities say the victim, Glen Berlin Parrish, was under the heavy influence of alcohol and prescription medications which was most likely the cause of his death. Parrish's father is now attempting to place blame on the Theta Chi fraternity for negligence.

UCLA Theta Chi Fraternity

While I send my condolences to the young man who's life was tragically cut short, there is a larger issue at hand. Headlines in the Los Angeles Times, NBC, and Fox 11 News, all read along the lines of "Father blames UCLA fraternity for son's death." In an all too familiar scenario, Greek life is yet again implicated with 100% of the blame for misconduct.

First of all, Glen Berlin Parrish was neither a student at UCLA nor was he involved or with a fraternity on any college campus. His body was merely found at Theta Chi, upon where his father claims Parrish was visiting a friend for the weekend.  Therefore, he has no affiliation with the Greek system; there should be no reason to attribute the cause of his death to influences of the fraternity.

Secondly, Parrish was 18-years-old, which, in all fifty states of America means he is no longer a minor. He is an adult; he can make his own decisions and take full-responsibility for his actions. If Parrish was drinking and using drugs, he was well aware of the risks and consequences.

A quote from the LA Times: "Parrish's father said his son 'was really looking forward to' the Friday night party at the fraternity house." Mr. Glen Berlin Parrish knew exactly what he was getting into when he walked into Theta Chi come Friday evening. Fraternity houses are not known for classy, sober fun and parent-approved activities. Of course drugs and alcohol would be present at a party, but I am almost positive no one was forcing these down Parrish's throat.

The father claims that Parrish's friends should have alerted the paramedics, that they shouldn't have allowed him to drink alcohol or take drugs, and that fraternities should "have someone walking around checking on people at night."

The issue with these claims is that people like Mr. Parrish senior are making it more difficult for students to contact the proper authorities when underage drinking and often illegal substances are present. If the fraternity men were to alert the paramedics every time someone got a little too drunk at their house, there would undoubtedly be consequences for the frat such as social probation or termination of their chapter charter. In most cases, the inebriated folks that pass out at the frat house wake up fine (granted a little hungover) the next morning. How are Parrish's friends, who were most likely also intoxicated in more ways than one, expected to know that their friend was in grave danger?

Drugs and alcohol are a part of the college scene whether or not a fraternity house is the social setting. If you plan to participate, you have to be responsible for your own actions. Simple as that.

It's an unfortunate situation that Glen Berlin Parrish passed away, but his actions can't really be blamed on the fraternity.