Up until this past weekend Caitlyn Kovacs was just another 19-year old Rutgers student. She had graduated from high school in 2013 and was studying animal science at Rutger's School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. The sophomore reportedly met friends for dinner and then attended a party at Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity house. At around 3am Sunday morning Kovacs appeared to be "in distress" and was taken to the hospital by friends where she later died.
Kovacs death is under investigation by both Rutgers and New Brunswick police departments but it appears to be alcohol related. Final autopsy results to officially determine her cause of death may take weeks. Rutger's President, Robert Barchi, released a statement to the grieving campus today saying,
"This is a time, too, when we need to reach out to one another and show our love, support, and compassion. This is a time to let each other know that we care and to share our strength and understanding with those in need so that we come through this tragedy with a deeper commitment to each member of the Rutgers community."
Another Rutgers student, senior Darsh Patel, was attacked and killed by a bear on Sunday afternoon while hiking with friends. Needless to say, students are reeling from the double loss and officials are taking into consideration the role drinking may have played into her death. Frat house parties are synonymous with the college experience but serious accidents can easily happen and Kovacs might be a victim of that kind of situation.
Should universities take steps to discourage fraternity parties and guide young adults towards other activities? Would it even work or will the partying continue on with unnecessary deaths?
