The Death of Won Jang and the Investigation into Dartmouth College Greek Life
The circumstances surrounding the death of Won Jang, a 20-year-old Dartmouth College student, have spurred investigations into the role of Greek life and hazing at the Ivy League institution. Jang's death has ignited a conversation about the culture of fraternities and sororities at Dartmouth, their traditions, and the potential dangers they pose.
The Tragic Death of Won Jang
Won Jang, a biomedical engineering major from Middletown, Delaware, was found dead in the Connecticut River on July 7. According to police reports, Jang had attended a party the night before at an off-campus apartment building rented by members of the Alpha Phi sorority. Alcohol was allegedly purchased and provided by members of the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity, to which Jang belonged. Most of the party attendees, including Jang, were under the age of 21.
After the party, a group of attendees spontaneously decided to swim in the river. A sudden storm caused the groups to scatter, and it was later discovered that Jang was missing. His body was found the following evening, approximately 65 feet from the shore. An autopsy revealed that Jang's cause of death was drowning, and his blood alcohol level was 0.167, more than twice the legal limit for drivers over 21 in New Hampshire.
Legal Charges and College Response
In the wake of Jang's death, the Hanover Police Department announced misdemeanor charges against two members of the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity, Matthew Catrambone and Samuel Terry, for providing alcohol to persons under 21 years of age. The Alpha Phi sorority was also charged as a corporation for facilitating an underage alcohol party. All parties were served with summons to appear at Lebanon District Court regarding these charges.
Dartmouth College immediately suspended both Alpha Phi and Beta Alpha Omega following Jang's death and initiated an internal investigation. The college stated that Greek organizations have a responsibility to ensure the school remains a safe, respectful, equitable, and inclusive community. The suspensions remain in effect pending the results of Dartmouth's internal investigation and conduct process.
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Hazing Allegations and Fraternity Culture
Police investigated whether hazing was a factor in Jang's death. In the months leading up to his death, Jang had reportedly grown increasingly anxious about his social status among the Beta Alpha Omega brothers, feeling that his middle-class, immigrant background set him apart from the fraternity's predominantly white, athletic, and wealthy membership. He resolved to participate in every fraternity activity available during the summer quarter to cement his standing.
Accounts detailed in a Hanover police report described a "reverse hazing" ritual where Alpha Phi sorority sisters gave instructions to Beta Alpha Omega fraternity brothers, including a requirement to wear all black and bring certain items. The brothers were then put through a "human obstacle course" and made to chug alcohol.
After Jang's death, police discovered disturbing photos and videos on his phone, depicting fraternity brothers engaged in humiliating and potentially dangerous activities. These images raised further questions about the nature of fraternity life at Dartmouth and the pressures students face to participate in such activities.
Dartmouth's Greek System Under Scrutiny
Dartmouth College has a long history of Greek life, with fraternities and sororities playing a central role in the campus social scene. Some 60 percent of students at the school belong to fraternities or sororities, making it among the most fraternity-dominated campuses in the country.
The college's Greek system has faced scrutiny in the past. In 2012, Rolling Stone published an article detailing whistleblower Andrew Lohse's revelations about brutal hazing rituals at Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In 2015, Alpha Delta, the fraternity that partially inspired Animal House, was officially derecognized after years of violations. Despite these incidents, some observers have noted that university administrators and alumni have at times appeared more focused on institutional reputation than on systemic reform.
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The Role of Alcohol and Tradition
Alcohol plays a significant role in Dartmouth's fraternity culture. The university's unofficial mascot is a smiley-faced beer keg called Keggy the Keg. Getting blackout drunk is almost considered a "badge of honor," even as Gen Zers are drinking less alcohol overall.
Dartmouth traditions, including beer pong, are central to campus social life. The game is so important that students practice until the racquets leave marks on their palms, and star players become mini celebrities across campus.
The Pursuit of Social Capital and Career Benefits
For some students, joining a fraternity is seen as a way to gain social capital and advance their careers. One current Chi Heorot fraternity brother stated that "every night is a mini networking event." An op-ed in the Dartmouth paper in 2023 reported that more than 40 percent of the graduating classes from 2016 to 2022 secured jobs in finance or consulting.
Jang's parents recall that he told them he had "special benefits" in the application process for an internship with McKinsey & Company by virtue of being a member of Beta. (A spokesperson for McKinsey says this allegation is not accurate.)
Calls for Change and Reform
Won Jang's death has prompted calls for change and reform of Dartmouth's Greek system. Some students and faculty members have expressed concerns about hazing, alcohol abuse, and the male-dominated culture of fraternities.
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Any efforts to improve Greek life at Dartmouth, though, are cold comfort to Jang’s parents, Hongpil Jang and JuYoung Oh. “The school values its reputation more than the lives of students,” they say. “They hide behind the Ivy League name…. It is merely an institution that operates under the power of money and influence. When the next tragedy comes, Dartmouth will respond the same way.”
It remains to be seen whether Jang's death will lead to meaningful changes in Dartmouth's Greek system. As one observer noted, "on this secluded campus, where tradition can at times appear to outpace progress, and where the school’s alma mater includes the line “lest the old traditions fail,” chances are it won’t be the last."
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