University responds to student death

IU officials expressed their condolences to the friends and family of sophomore Brian Macken, who died Tuesday.

“This is a tragedy, and we are attempting to determine exactly what happened, primarily with a view to ensure that nothing like this ever occurs again,” said Dean of Students Pete Goldsmith in an IU press release.

However, IU police are still awaiting the results of toxicology reports to determine if alcohol or drugs played a factor in Macken’s death, IUPD Chief Keith Cash said.

Goldsmith said he is working with leaders of the greek community to make campus resources available to students with potentially troubling behavior, such as alcohol and drug use. He also said once the IUPD investigation is complete, his office will determine if University policies were violated.

Macken’s death has affected the IU community, including students in the residence halls and at Phi Sigma Kappa, where Macken, a non-member, was found unconscious four days before he died, Goldsmith said.

“We have all been saddened by the loss of one of our students, and we have extended our heartfelt condolences to Brian’s family members who have been at his side at the hospital for the past few days,” Goldsmith said in the release.

Phi Sig will continue to cooperate with the investigation of what led to Macken’s death, the fraternity’s executive director Michael Carey said in an e-mail. He also expressed condolences to Macken’s family and the IU community.