TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The lawyer representing the family of the Florida State pledge who died from alcohol poisoning at an off-campus frat party is responding to FSU's decision to lift it's ban on alcohol.
David Bianchi, who's representing Andrew Coffey's family, thinks that the decision to lift the alcohol ban on campus was made too soon.
He says criminal charges for the nine Pi Kappa Phi members involved in Coffey's death haven't even been resolved yet.
"Andrew died only a short time ago," said Bianchi. "So yes, frankly, it's too soon to lift the alcohol ban."
He also says that the majority of individuals that belong to these organizations are under 21 anyways so lifting the ban only impacts a fraction of the student population.
When asked about the workshops that recognized student organizations and Greek organizations will be required to take if the decide they want to have alcohol at events, Bianchi called the policy, 'window dressing."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida State University has lifted its ban on alcohol for all recognized student organizations.
However, according to the vice president for student affairs Dr. Amy Hecht, recognized student organizations must complete risk management training before being allowed to host events with alcohol.
The ban, which was self-imposed by the university for five months, was officially lifted Monday with the expectation that organization leaders will review the FSU Alcohol Policy and complete the required trainings.
Fraternities and sororities in good standing with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL) that have completed risk management training offered by OFSL, will also be permitted to host social events with alcohol.
However, chapters will be required to continue providing notices of all events to OFSL, including social events, philanthropies, sisterhood/brotherhood events, etc.
In addition to providing notices for all events, chapters will be required to register events with alcohol here.
"The Student Activities Center staff will continue to offer training and advising, and will continue supporting all student organizations to prevent dangerous and unsafe conduct and behaviors," Hecht wrote in the letter to recognized student organizations' presidents and advisors. "The university also will continue to engage students as we strive for a safer, healthier community for all."
