Wesleyan Student Falls From Window at Fraternity House

Early in the morning on Sunday, Sept. 7, a female Wesleyan student reportedly fell from a window of the Beta Theta Pi house, WFSB reports.

Wesleyan students identified the girl as Summer Elbardissy, according to WFSB. She sustained injuries after the fall and was transported to St. Francis Hospital by a Life Star helicopter.

The house is located at 184 High St., Middletown. On the Wesleyan Beta Theta Pi website, the status of the fraternity is listed as “probation” as of November 2013.

According to the Beta Theta Pi code, a chapter that is placed on probation meets the following criteria:

1. Is a chapter that has failed to meet or has had difficulty meeting the standards of a chapter of Beta Theta Pi
2. Has been placed on probation by the General Secretary, the Board of Trustees or the General Convention, and
3. Is determined to have more serious deficiencies, by the party making the designation, than a chapter on warning.

Per the fraternity’s code, a chapter on probation may continue to operate as a chapter under its own charter, but restrictions, limitations or conditions might be imposed by the General Secretary, Board of Trustees or General Convention.

“When a chapter is placed on probation, the designation shall specify the deficiencies which the chapter must address and correct,” according to the code.

Statement From the School

Wesleyan Vice-President for Student Affairs, Michael Whaley, issued the following statement:

I am sorry to report that early Sunday morning a female sophomore suffered multiple and serious injuries in a fall from a window at Beta Theta Pi. Wesleyan Public Safety responded, as did Middletown Police, and the student was transported by helicopter to St. Francis Hospital. Family members are with her.

Public Safety and Middletown Police are investigating this incident. Here on campus, Residential Life and CAPS staff are available to speak with concerned students. Our thoughts are with the injured student, who is improving, and we hope for a full and speedy recovery.

History of the House

This is not the first time the house made headlines. In April 2013, police investigated an alleged sexual assault at the Beta Theta Pi house.

In 2012, a Wesleyan student sued the fraternity, its chapter, the university and the landlord of the Beta Theta Pi house after claiming she was sexually assaulted at the house, according to Courthouse News Service.

The Hartford Courant reported a settlement in that case and said the accused man, John O’Neill of Yorktown, N.Y., was not a Wesleyan student.

He was a guest at the fraternity house and issued a 15-month stay in prison.

According to the chapter housing section of the Beta Theta Pi website, 17 people live in the Middletown home. In total, the fraternity has 36 active collegiate members, per the roster.

Regarding the fall from the window, no foul play is suspected, according to NBC Connecticut.

(Photo Credit: Patch archives)