WVU student dies after fraternity incident

WVU President E. Gordon Gee has confirmed that Nolan Michael Burch passed away on Friday and has provided the following statement.

“Words cannot describe the heartache we, as a West Virginia University family, feel at the loss of one of our own – Nolan Michael Burch – who passed away today."

“The outpouring of love and support from his friends and this community has been what you would expect from Mountaineers, and I would ask that you continue to keep the Burch family and many friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

University and Morgantown Police continue to investigate what occurred around midnight Wednesday (Nov. 12) when 9-1-1 responders were called to an off-campus fraternity house where a catastrophic medical emergency was in progress.

West Virginia University has suspended all fraternities and sororities involved in campus Greek Life until further notice.

Another fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma, was placed on probation in 2010 for a hazing incident. No word yet on this involved a pledge or fraternity member.

Dean of Students Corey Farris said: “The action to halt fraternity and sorority activities while these matters are being reviewed is being done with the well-being and safety of our students in mind. That is – and must always be – our foremost priority,” Farris said.

In addition to criminal charges, WVU’s Office of Student Conduct will review to determine any violations of the student code.

Last week, a fraternity was suspended after involvement in an incident in the South Park neighborhood of Morgantown, which resulted in three arrests and 16 citations of WVU students. Alcohol and maybe drugs were involved.