Second-year student and fraternity member Ryan Michalski died from blunt force trauma in an accident during Sigma Nu’s unsanctioned trip to Running Springs in San Bernardino County – informally known as the fraternity’s annual Big Bear trip – in May 2021.
On May 21, Michalski and his fraternity brothers were in Running Springs when Michalski fell and “sustained severe injuries,” according to retired San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jodi Miller. Miller said the county fire department transported Michalski to the Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he died on May 25 at 8:45 p.m. from blunt force trauma to his head, according to his death certificate.
There was no homicide investigation into Michalski’s death since it was ruled an accident, according to Miller.
The UC Santa Barbara chapter of Sigma Nu has been placed on a yearlong suspension for the unsanctioned trip, according to UCSB spokesperson Andrea Estrada.
“The investigation into Ryan Michalski’s death is a law enforcement matter. But the fraternity has been found responsible for holding an unsanctioned event during a time when in-person events were prohibited by the university, and it has been sanctioned accordingly,” Estrada said in an Oct. 12 statement to the Nexus.
UCSB Sigma Nu chapter president and fourth-year film and media studies major Emerson Stewart said in a statement to the Nexus, “every member of Sigma Nu is devastated by the loss of Ryan Michalski.”
“He was a genuinely kind person, and we are all going to remember and miss him for the rest of our lives. Our hearts go out to his family who have no doubt suffered an unimaginable loss,” Stewart said.
“We are working with our nationals and with the school to move forward in a healthy way that is respectful to both Ryan and his family. One of our goals is to work with the school to eventually create a philanthropy project in Ryan’s honor when the appropriate time comes,” he continued.
During Michalski’s memorial service, friends and family described him as a quiet, thoughtful and bright person who loved the Los Angeles Chargers and participated in many sports including soccer, baseball, lacrosse and tennis. Michalski’s brother also praised his chess skills.
Sigma Nu was placed on interim investigatory suspension following Michalski’s death, which has now transitioned into a yearlong sanction. The Student Engagement and Leadership website states that the chapter is suspended until June 10, 2022.
While typically such a suspension involves “prohibition on operating, recruiting or fraternizing with other organizations,” Estrada said that the “highly unusual circumstances” might result in allowing limited activities “focused on grieving and healing.”
Over the course of the 2020-21 academic year, nine sororities and fraternities were reported for violating public health orders for hosting or participating in large gatherings during a time when in-person events were prohibited by the university.
Of the organizations that were reported for holding unsanctioned events during this time period, repeat offender Alpha Tau Omega was the only one that was sanctioned, eventually resulting in social probation and the loss of its spring 2021 recruitment. All others only received warnings during the 2020-21 school year.
When asked about the differences in sanctions by the Nexus, Estrada said that the university “cannot speak to specifics” and that each investigation is “individualized and conducted on a case-by-case basis.”
UCSB’s Interfraternity Council did not respond to multiple requests for comment upon time of publication.
A version of this article appeared on p. 1 of the Oct. 14, 2021 print edition of the Daily Nexus.
Another result of incompetent leadership at UCSB.
This article is disgusting and so inconsiderate and disrespectful of those who knew and loved Ryan. Why does the Daily Nexus always try to take a horrible accident and spin it negatively towards fraternities. What does ATOs suspension have to do with the loss of Ryan? I see the connection you’re trying to make and it’s a complete whiff. I promise you this is the last thing Ryan or his friends and family would want. This article is cold and insensitive; I hope you do some serious reflecting and take this down because this is just gross.
Did they really just click bait a persons death?
Hope the gaslighting is worth the views :/
Frat people will literally get one of their own killed and think they’re the victims when other people point out they got one of their own killed
Very close family member of Ryan here. What you just said could not be more wrong. Please don’t speak for how his family would feel when you have no idea what happened. While there are some inconsistencies with this article, I know for a fact that the fraternity is at least somewhat to blame.
By the way, there was a homicide investigation. Maybe you should ask your frat buddies about that.
As a former journalist, I think this article is poorly written and slighted. This was a horrible, tragic accident and the implications in the article are beyond inconsiderate. Maybe stop trying to spurn Greek life and start trying to write real, factual, and meaningful articles.
“Maybe stop trying to spurn Greek life” maybe stop raping women and literally getting people killed idk
Funny how every club and organization manages to not have these problems, but greek life just cant stop
What do you mean? The school covers up their sports teams because the school is liable. The school isn’t as liable for fraternities so they throw them under the bus and let faceless garbage like this out.
Btw the last 2 sexual assaults that got texted to everyone was from a sports event.
Love it! Well written!
You are absolutely disgusting, Nexus “Reporters”. The focus should be on the tragedy of a loss of young life, but typical leftist UCSB students and admin don’t focus on the tragedy, but instead the punishment of Greek life. And even worse— not punishment for holding an event that caused a tragic accidental death— but holding an in-person event during COVID-19 restrictions… what a robotic, emotionless, twisted comment from Estrada who should be fired immediately for her lack of care of students’ lives, and what a piece of shit article by the worst “newspaper” on the fucking planet.
Frat people will literally get one of their own killed and think they’re the victims when other people point out they got one of their own killed
Why do you always connect this with politics?
Frat people will literally get one of their own killed and think they’re the victims when other people point out they got one of their own killed