Virginia Commonwealth University is facing criticism after it partnered with a brewery on a branded beer, months after a student died of alcohol poisoning.
Hardywood and the VCU alumni association are planning on selling a VCU-branded beer starting Oct. 26.Since the announcement, there has been mixed reactions about the VCU-branded beverage.
Everett Carpenter, president of the VCU chapter of the American Association of University Professors, expressed the organization's concerns about the venture by"The proposed changes were voted down unanimously," Carpenter wrote in an open letter to Rao."This action violates the spirit of shared governance with your VCU colleagues."
Carpenter wrote that the decision to push through this branding"seems incredibly insensitive and disrespectful considering recent alcohol-related tragedies."In February 2021, Oakes had received a bid to the Delta Chi fraternity and was told to drink a large bottle of whiskey. The freshman was found dead the next morning.
The chief medical examiner ruled that the student's death was caused by alcohol poisoning. The coroner found thatIn a press release, the university stated that VCU and the family of 19-year-old Adam Oakes reached an agreement that will make changes to fraternity and sorority life on campus in hopes of becoming a"national model" for other universities. The deal was approved Friday by the Fairfax County Circuit Court.
"This is a blueprint to foster a safer and healthier community for students who are part of fraternities and sororities and to create a climate of respect and inclusion that is needed for academic success,"