Following student's death, Texas A&M finds fraternity broke hazing rules

In an investigation following the death of freshman Joseph Little, Texas A&M University says the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, commonly known as Aggie FIJI, was responsible for violating student rules related to hazing, alcohol, university policies and standard administrative policies.

A Texas A&M University spokesperson told KBTX Tuesday, the fraternity's recognition has been suspended, and will be unable to apply for recognition until January 2022. Phi Gamma Delta has appealed this ruling. There is no set date for a final ruling in the case.

Joseph Little, 18, died August 29 after suffering a seizure in his College Station apartment. The circumstances surrounding Little's death remain unclear, but paramedics rushed him from the Callaway House apartments near campus on August 26 to College Station Medical Center, where he remained in the intensive care unit until he passed away.

Texas A&M officials said College Station Police were currently conducting a criminal investigation into Little’s death. CSPD would only confirm to KBTX on Tuesday evening that they were awaiting toxicology results in the case.

In September, College Station police characterized their involvement as a routine action following the “unexpected death of a minor” and an inquest by the Justice of the Peace.

Brazos County Justice of the Peace Rick Hill previously described Little’s death as “unnatural", but a manner and cause of death are still pending until a final autopsy is complete. Judge Hill told KBTX Tuesday there was not currently a timetable on when results would return. Judge Hill also stressed that Texas A&M’s determination would not factor into the medical examiner’s cause of death.

Texas A&M Student Life began an investigation in August into the actions of the FIJI fraternity on the weekend of Little’s death. A spokesperson said Little had been accepted into the organization the weekend before he passed away.

At a Tuesday evening event focused on ending hazing on university campuses, the Student Life office encouraged students and their families to call 911 if they believe someone is in danger, hurt or their health is at risk, and to notify authorities if you know or suspect hazing is happening.

"Nobody sets out to kill somebody in the beginning of the night, but it can get out of hand quickly," Evelyn Piazza said.

The Piazza's oldest son, Tim, was forced to drink a large amount of alcohol and suffered traumatic brain injury from hazing. He died in February of 2017. His father says what the fraternity did to his son that night is far from a brotherhood.

"Build new traditions. Build traditions that are meaningful, build traditions that build real brotherhood, real sisterhood," Jim Piazza said.

The parents are trying to save lives, but Jim says every time another student dies from hazing, he's reminded of the pain.

"It's almost like Tim died again and again and again," Jim said.

The group wants to put an end to hazing and remind students that no amount of inclusion has to cost you your life.

You can learn more about hazing and how to report it

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Aggie FIJI is a chapter of the national Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. It received its official charter in 1979.

Texas A&M's Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter experienced a similar death in 2016. Following an investigation and a hearing of the University's Student Organization Accountability Board, Texas A&M found Sigma Phi Epsilon was responsible for violating student rules related to hazing, alcohol, University policies and standard administrative policies. Its recognition status was suspended in March 2016. The organization will be unable to apply for recognition in 2019.