Bound and Dumped: Cornell University & The 2011

Death of George Desdunes

Queneisha J. HarveyPR Research & Strategies; Florida A&M

UniversityMarch 27, 2012

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The Event: Feb. 25,2011Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity House

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity member George Desdunes was found unresponsive laying on a couch inside of the fraternity’s house.

• Initial news report: Desdunes was rushed to Cayuga Medical Center where he later died. “Alcohol consumption may have played a role in death.”• Death appears to be accidental; suicide

is not suspected. Police declined further details.• Search warrant was put out to search the

fraternity house.• Forensic autopsy report will be released

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Backstory

• Desdunes voluntarily consumed a large amount of alcohol before consenting to take place in a “mock kidnapping”• Anonymous woman who was with

Desdunes the night he died said that he expressed concern about the ritual

• SAE “mock kidnapping” ritual• Pledges are bound by their hands and

wrists with zip tie and duct tape• Then they are taken to another apartment

on campus and asked several questions about the organization

• If pledges answer wrong they are forced to do exercise and guzzle booze and flavored drinks

• Desdunes passed out and was bought back to • the frat house and was dumped on the couch• Housekeeper calls 911

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Media Highlights

• March 1: Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy temporarily suspends SAE after investigation reveals alcohol.

• March 18: University withdraws recognition of SAE for at least 5 years. All members living in frat house must vacate by March 31

• March 21: SAE Chapter at University of Michigan expelled for hazing charges

• March 27: 6 SAE freshman fraternity pledges who was there the night Desdunes died leaves campus

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The Story Continues• May 6: Four students charged in connection with Desdunes death • By June: Story picked up by ABC News

• June 29: Marie Lourdes Andres files a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit against SAE and 20 of it’s members

• By July: The story picks up by NBC News

• August 2011: President David Skorton “A Pledge to end Fraternity Hazing.”

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The Story Continues• September 2011: a letter from six fraternity presidents urging all

houses come together and save the Greek system• “The Greek system is stereotypically viewed as an outlet for

undergraduates…”• “All of these things that happen on a daily basis are

overshadowed and ignored when one bad incident occurs.”• January 2012: Tau Kappa Epsilon loses recognition after alcohol-

related hospitalization of a freshman pledge• Following Desdunes death and suspension of SAE, 16 members

were taken in by TKE

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PR Lessons LearnedWhat worked well• Immediate suspension

of SAE• Quick autopsy reports

and investigation• Not covered by many

media outlets

What did not work well

• The President of the university speaking out 7 months after incident.

• The fraternity members not making a statement about the death of their brother.

• The fraternity TKE taking in 16 pledges who were there when Desdunes died.

• Not speaking about the 6 students who left the university

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Lessons for FAMUDo this…

• Be proactive when an incident occurs, give answers

• Release information about what is going to be done, instead of dwelling on the event

Don’t do this…

• Try to hide what has happened, take responsibility and move forward

• Hire outside personnel to save the university, use the people who knows the university the best: faculty, staff, & students

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