She said prospective members of fraternities are aware that drinking is a common activity. "In frats, most people drink," she said.

But Burke-White said that even if Krueger agreed to participate in the event, he cannot be entirely blamed for the incident.

"Massachusetts State Law...says consent is not a defense against hazing," he said. "In the process of the party, he was required to consume a large quantity of alcohol."

Reports published in The Boston Herald peg Kruger's blood alcohol level at .410, more than five times the legal limit in Massachusetts.

Burke-White also said that after Krueger became unconscious, he was left unattended by those at the party.

Krueger's family flew in from New York early yesterday and is with him at the hospital, Burke-White said. "[We ask]...that people's prayers and thoughts could be with him."

As a newcomer to MIT, Krueger was enthusiastic about engineering, Burke-White said.

"Scott was thrilled to have the chance to come to MIT and to Boston," he said.

A National Trend?

Phi Gamma Delta is one of 37 MIT fraternities, housing over 1,000 undergraduates.

Incidents of alcohol-induced comas and illnesses at fraternities across the country have made national headlines this year.

Louisiana State University officials suspended an affiliated fraternity when a student pledge died after consuming a large quantity of alcohol late last month. And two national fraternities announced plans to go dry within recent months.

Fraternities are not permitted at Harvard because they are not wholly autonomous organizations and because "quite frankly, some fraternities have reputations for incidents like this," said Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III.

Epps said he foresees a nationwide trend against fraternities as alleged incidents of alcohol abuse by undergraduates become increasingly common.

"I see...more colleges trying to get rid of fraternities," he said.

Epps said he also wants to warn all "underground fraternities" at Harvard to "cease all activities at the College."

Burke-White said he hopes what happened to his cousin can serve a larger purpose.

"I hope that this can be a wake-up call to a system that is in serious need of reform," he said. "This kind of tragedy can be prevented