Civil lawsuit resumes for 2012 hazing death
September 13, 2016
Ryan Bogenberger, father of dead student David Bogenberger, will resume his lawsuit in appellate court against the Eta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha at NIU.
David was found unresponsive Nov. 2, 2012, at the former Pi Kappa Alpha house, 1020 W. Hillcrest Drive, with a blood-alcohol content of .351 percent, according to a May 8, 2015, Northern Star article.
Ryan included the international fraternity corporation in his lawsuit in addition to others involved in the non-sanctioned initiation event, according to a June 17 Cook County Record article.
Although Kathy Flanagan, Cook County circuit court judge, dismissed the action against each defendant, Ryan is able to take the case to appellate court and file for a civil lawsuit against the Eta Nu chapter which is no longer a part of NIU’s Greek life.
To prevent hazing in the future, the Student Association will host events to promote the social media campaign #HuskiesDontHaze and four events during anti-hazing week from Sept. 19 to Sept. 23.
“[Hazing] should never happen and the campus should unite against it so by having this week and holding the events and bringing in the speakers, its giving the opportunity to speak out why hazing is such a terrible thing and why it shouldn’t be happening in organizations,” said Taylor Rosenberg, Student Association director of greek affairs.