Critically injured PIKE brother slowly improves, begins rehabilitation

The College junior who was critically injured after falling two stories at a party last month checked out of the hospital early this week, and was transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Center City.

Pi Kappa Alpha brother Matthew Paris was moved from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to the Moss Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, where he will likely remain for three to six weeks, according to friends.

As Paris continues his rehabilitation, the University's Alcohol Response Team -- which convened for the first time in its present form shortly following the accident -- also is moving forward.

Formed to address the alcohol culture at Penn in general, and the 5-year-old University alcohol policy in particular, the team met for the second time last night. The specifics of ART meetings are closed to the public.

In the wake of Paris' injuries, which occurred when the PIKE brother fell over a banister at a registered Psi Upsilon party after reportedly consuming 21 shots of alcohol, ART has focused on high-risk drinking behaviors and environments.

"We're trying to see what we can do to prevent those environments from occurring in the first place," ART member and InterFraternity Council President Conor O'Callaghan said.

Last night, the team met with two undergraduate members of Alcoholics Anonymous to learn more about addiction and its impacts.

"I think right now we are discussing the culture of alcohol on campus and everything that surrounds it," ART member and Undergraduate Assembly Chairman Jason Levine said.

"I think that it's such a diverse committee that everyone is learning from everyone else the different perspectives of what goes on on campus," the College senior added.

ART Chairman and Interim Provost Peter Conn said that the group has not yet defined a timetable, but "a relatively systematic review of the existing [alcohol] policy" will be under way shortly.

The Greek community is working to move forward following the accident.

"I know the Castle and PIKE have been working together to organize a CPR training class," IFC Executive Vice President and College senior Sean Levy said, noting that such certification would benefit students if injuries occur at future parties.

In the meantime, "the whole Greek community has been very supportive of Matt Paris," Levy said.

PIKE Vice President Alex Brodsky also stressed the support Paris has received from many on campus as he recovers.

"Matt is progressing well, albeit slowly," Brodsky said. "Within the past few days, he has made great strides in his motor functioning," at various times briefly writing, clapping and playing catch with a roll of gauze.

Although the details of Paris' condition have not been released, his pelvis and shoulder sustained injuries in the fall, according to friends who have visited him in the hospital. Paris may have sustained head trauma as well, according to the students.

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