While the college basketball world is currently focused on a historic March Madness run, High Point University is facing renewed scrutiny over a scandal in its past.
On Thursday, the No. 12 seed Panthers secured the first NCAA Tournament victory in the program’s history with a stunning 83-82 win over No. 5 Wisconsin.
The victory has provided a national platform for the university, which has aggressively branded itself as a premier destination for the children of the elite.
Under president Nido Qubein, the campus has expanded from 91 to 560 acres, becoming what some critics describe as a ‘glorified country club’ for students.
However, the school’s public image of an ‘extraordinary’ student experience has been complicated by serious legal and a safety-related controversy in years gone by.
Most prominent is the 2012 death of 22-year-old student Robert Eugene Tipton Jr., which led to a high-profile wrongful death lawsuit being filed against the school.
High Point University have been thrust into the spotlight after their March Madness win
The university has seen major expansion in recent years – but critics have described it as a ‘glorified country club’ for students
Tipton, a fraternity pledge, was found unresponsive in an off-campus apartment. His family alleged that the death was the result of a violent hazing ritual.
However, the case against the frat was later thrown out by a court after it was ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to suggest the death resulted from a hazing.
An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was due to a painkiller drug overdose. No criminal charges were ever filed and the family’s claims remain nothing more than allegations.
However, the incident remains a focal point for critics who question the university’s culture.
In the modern day, the university brands itself as a safe ‘bubble’ designed to provide students with the social and professional tools required for corporate success.
‘Half of Wall Street sends their kids to this school,’ president Qubein previously stated, emphasizing the university’s appeal to high-net-worth families.
During his 20 years at the helm, Qubein’s influence at the university is striking. The basketball team plays at the Qubein Center, which is situated on Qubein Avenue.
The 2012 death of 22-year-old student Robert Eugene Tipton Jr. hangs over the university
Tipton, a fraternity pledge, was found unresponsive in an off-campus apartment. His family alleged that the death was the result of a violent hazing ritual
The case was later thrown out by a court after it was ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to suggest the death resulted from a hazing
In 2021, the school also unveiled a statue in honor of the High Point president.
‘As far as I’m concerned, we have no amenities,’ Qubein explained. ‘We are not in the business of pampering students. We are in the business of preparing our students.’
On a typical weeknight, students can dine at ‘1924 PRIME,’ one of the university’s on-campus steakhouses. There is also a Mediterranean restaurant and Teppanyaki grill, where students can eat as part of their meal plan.
Not only do these restaurants offer meals for High Point students, they also provide a lesson in etiquette – with servers coaching students on body language, professional attire and even which specific forks to use.
It’s also noted that reservations are required for students to dine at any of their on-campus eateries and that phones are ‘banished’ once inside.
The university operates under the philosophy that ‘life skills’ are as vital as degrees, rehearsing students for the social rigors of corporate environments.
The campus even features a full airplane-cabin interior so students can practice networking while sitting next to an executive on a flight.
During his 20 years at the helm, Nido Qubein’s influence at the university is striking
The basketball team plays at the Qubein Center, which is situated on Qubein Avenue
Speaking of flights, the school commissioned a private charter to take their students to watch their historic March Madness victory over Wisconsin on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the sensory experience is controlled, with classical music on outdoor speakers and the ‘energizing’ sound of dozens of water fountains around.
Students rarely walk long distances, with a fleet of golf carts and dedicated shuttle lines that traverse the massive campus to keep everyone moving in style.
The concierge offers free airport shuttles, but only if students wear a High Point University shirt – otherwise the ride costs a steep $95.
The idea behind this is to provide a lesson in ‘brand awareness’, in another example of the ‘life skills’ which they look to instill in their students.
