On March 30, 2007 18-year-old student Gary DeVercelly died of alcohol poisoning after a night of heavy drinking at a Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house.[26] The incident was tied to a longstanding, hazing tradition involving the use of dangerous quantities of alcohol as part of a big brother–little brother ritual.[27] Two Rider University officials, including the dean of students, and three students were indicted for aggravated hazing;[28] the charges were dismissed for lack of evidence.[29] Settlement of the civil lawsuit resulted in major policy concessions by the University and the incident had a deep impact on Greek Life on campus.