The Company He Kept: The Aftermath of a Student Death at SUNY Plattsburgh

Abstract

This senior project consists of two transcribed oral history interviews with student administrators at SUNY Plattsburgh reflecting on the impact on the campus of a hazing death, and detailed Finding Aids for the interviews. Walter Dean Jennings died in 2003 from water poisoning during a hazing at an unrecognized fraternity off campus. These interviews are with Allison Swick-Duttine, the current Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Plattsburgh, and Bryan Hartman, current Vice President of Student Affairs. Topics covered in the interview include: crisis management after the 2003 death; change in campus culture; hazing prevention programs; Greek life at Plattsburgh; student organizations; and public relations.