Alumnus found dead outside FIJI house

Police are investigating the death of 26-year-old College alumnus Michael Tobin. A 26-year-old University alumnus was found dead early yesterday morning behind the Phi Gamma Delta house at 3619 Locust Walk. The cause of death was not immediately clear, though police said they suspect he fell from either a balcony or an outdoor staircase. Michael Tobin, a FIJI brother who was co-captain of the men's lacrosse team and graduated in 1994 from the College of Arts and Sciences, was pronounced dead at the scene by Philadelphia Police, who were the first to respond to a 911 call made by a FIJI brother just after 6:30 a.m., police said. It was not immediately clear how long Tobin had been dead before the police arrived. Police believe Tobin was visiting campus for an annual alumni pig roast dinner at the fraternity house Saturday night. University Police Chief Maureen Rush said there were "large amounts of alcohol" in the house when police arrived. Toxicology tests that could come back as early as today will say whether Tobin was inebriated at the time of his death. The Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Division -- which looks into all questionable or suspicious deaths -- is investigating the death in conjunction with the University Police. About 20 FIJI brothers were taken to PPD headquarters yesterday morning for questioning. "There's nothing that leads me to believe that this was anything but an accident at this time," said Philadelphia Police Lt. Michael Morrin, who is working on the investigation. Although the cause of Tobin's death remained undetermined yesterday as police waited for an autopsy report, police speculated that he fell, either from a balcony or down a steep flight of stairs that lead to the basement door of the FIJI house, where his body was found. "We're beginning to think that he didn't fall from a balcony, but we're not sure," Penn Vice President for Public Safety Tom Seamon said. "He appears to have fallen. Where he fell from -- whether from the top of the steps [leading to where Tobin's body was found] or a balcony, etc. -- is not clear yet." Police are also unsure whether alcohol played a role in Tobin's fall. According to InterFraternity Council officials, FIJI was not registered to have an official party Saturday night where alcohol could be served. But since an alumni dinner is restricted to members of the fraternity, it is not considered to be a party. Rush said there was alcohol all over the first floor of the house but that there were no immediate signs of other drugs. She said that the University is investigating possible violations of its alcohol policy by FIJI. University President Judith Rodin released a statement yesterday afternoon which said that "we are terribly saddened by this tragic loss of life," and "our thoughts and prayers are with Michael's parents and family." Police secured the FIJI house as a crime scene yesterday and the University has relocated the brothers who normally reside in the house to empty dorm rooms and a hotel until they are able to return to their house, which Rush said could be today at the earliest. Under supervision by police officers, they were allowed to take personal belongings from the house. FIJI President Martin Park, a Wharton junior, did not return requests for comment, and three other brothers declined to comment. University officials notified Tobin's family shortly after his body was discovered yesterday. Police Special Services Director Susan Hawkins and University Chaplain William Gipson met Tobin's parents and two younger brothers at the airport in Philadelphia. "We'll assist them in making any of the arrangements they need to make," said Hawkins, who said Special Services is available to the family "primarily for emotional support and some support with necessary arrangements." All of the residents of the FIJI house and their guests were interviewed at the Philadelphia Police Department by Philadelphia and Penn police officers shortly after the body was found to determine the facts surrounding the incident. Morrin said that police would not call in anyone else for questioning until the autopsy report is finished. Counseling and Psychological Services Director Eileen Rosenstein, Associate Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassel and University Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Tom King met with the FIJI brothers to tell them about counseling services the University offers. The fraternity's national chapter has been notified and is conducting its own investigation. IFC President Mark Metzl, a College junior and Tau Epsilon Phi brother, said that the IFC will not begin investigating possible violations until the police finish their investigation. The IFC and the Panhellenic Council announced last night that they are cancelling the All-Greek Mixer planned for Friday, the first day of the annual Greek Weekend. "We just feel it's inappropriate to have a celebration in lieu of this happening," Metzl said. Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Aliya Sternstein contributed to this article.

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