NU could face suit in Sunshine death

The parents of Matthew Sunshine are exploring the possibility of suing Northwestern for allegedly playing a role in their son's death, their attorney confirmed last week in an exclusive interview with The Summer Northwestern.

Attorneys expect to meet with administrators to discuss a settlement before the summer ends, said Robert Clifford, one of two Chicago attorneys representing the family. If an agreement is reached, a lawsuit may never be filed.

"It is undeniable that we are exploring a claim against Northwestern for the death of young Mr. Sunshine," Clifford said in a phone interview. "We are in contact with the university, both inside and outside counsel, and I have the expectation that a meeting will eventually take place."

Alan Cubbage, NU's vice president for university relations, declined to comment on the possibility of a lawsuit. University President Henry Bienen, Vice President for Student Affairs William Banis and General Counsel Thomas Cline did not return phone messages.

Sunshine, a 19-year-old SESP freshman from Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., died of alcohol poisoning last June after attending a party in his dorm, Foster House. Another student discovered him unresponsive the next morning with a blood alcohol level of 0.396.

Jeffrey Sunshine, Matthew's father, said students persuaded his son to drink, drew pornographic images on his face and took pictures to post on the Internet. Authorities have not confirmed any of that information.

Jeffrey Sunshine declined to comment on the lawsuit or other aspects of his son's death.

Fellow Foster House residents said Matthew Sunshine was not a heavy drinker.

"He would drink as much as most other people at a party," Tony Rajah, a Weinberg junior, said in an interview outside his Foster House room earlier this year. "He'd probably have a few drinks but he'd still be sober enough to walk people back to their dorms and things like that."


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