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Gee: WVU will respond appropriately to student’s death

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown police say medical examinations will play a role in their investigation into the death of a West Virginia University freshman last week.

WVU freshman Nolan Burch, 18, of Buffalo, NY died Friday after being found unresponsive at a frat house Wednesday night.
WVU freshman Nolan Burch, 18, of Buffalo, NY died Friday after being found unresponsive at a frat house Wednesday night.

Nolan Burch, 18, died Friday after what police called an alcohol-related incident at Kappa Sigma fraternity house. Burch was found unresponsive just before midnight Wednesday. Attempts at CPR were made by police when they arrived on the scene.

Police are interviewing up to 50 people, reviewing surveillance video and piecing together social media postings to learn what happened leading up to Burch’s death, including how he got the alcohol. He was under the legal drinking age. No new details were released Monday morning in connection with the investigation.

WVU president Gordon Gee, during Monday’s appearance on MetroNews “Talkline,” said the university will respond appropriately to Burch’s death.

We’re trying to move forward but with a very aggressive agenda on how we address these issues,” Gee said.

As the WVU community learned of Burch’s gravely ill condition Thursday, they instituted a moratorium on all Greek activities indefinitely. Kappa Sigma had its charter pulled by the national chapter before the incident involving Burch.

Gee said WVU’s next move will be connected to the police investigation.

There are a number of stories. There a number of variations on the stories. I think we’ll have clarity on that in a very short period of time,” he said.

Gee said it’s time to hold WVU students to a greater responsibility.

We need to treat them like adults,” Gee said. “We need to get out of the local parentus business and into the local amicus business, which is we really have them to become more much engaged in the quality of their own lives.”

Nolan Burch grew up just outside of Buffalo New York. Funeral home visitation is Wednesday and Burch’s funeral Friday in New York. Student life at WVU will likely provide transportation for students who wish to attend.





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