An LSU fraternity house cook with a history of drug convictions was arrested in late June for allegedly distributing cocaine and other controlled substances to students. Jordan Cole Langlois, 35, worked at Delta Chi when law enforcement began investigating him in March following a tip about drug transactions. After months of surveillance and a controlled drug purchase, agents executed search warrants and discovered over two ounces of cocaine powder, nearly 21 grams of methamphetamine, MDMA, digital scales, and drug paraphernalia at his residence. Langlois faces multiple felony charges, and his bail was set at $31,500.
The case raises critical questions about employee vetting and campus safety. Langlois had prior drug convictions and was on probation as recently as 2017, yet somehow gained employment in a position that gave him regular access to a fraternity house and students. It’s a troubling reminder that the people we allow into student housing aren’t always thoroughly screened. Universities and Greek organizations need to look seriously at their background check procedures, frequency of updates, and ongoing monitoring practices to ensure that individuals with documented drug histories aren’t positioned to influence or exploit students.
For parents with students in Greek life or on college campuses, this story should prompt some important conversations. What questions should you be asking your student about who has access to their fraternity or sorority house? Are they aware of the people working there and what kind of vetting was done? Have you talked with your student about recognizing drug activity or dealers operating on campus? What additional safeguards do you think universities should implement to prevent situations like this one?
