A distressing hazing incident involving a student from Rutgers University ended with serious injuries and has now resulted in the shutdown of one of its fraternity chapters. This tragic event rolled out on October 15, when Alpha Sigma Phi engaged in activities that left a 19-year-old from Matawan, New Jersey, hospitalized and fighting for his life.
The fraternity’s international leader, Gordy Heminger, made it clear to The Asbury Park Press that not only are the involved Rutgers members being kicked out of their fraternity, but that this chapter is permanently closed.
Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.
Rutgers University acted swiftly, having previously slapped the fraternity with a cease-and-desist order and placed it on disciplinary probation due to the incident. University officials issued a statement showing their concern, saying, “Rutgers-New Brunswick remains deeply concerned about the serious incident involving one of our students.” They are maintaining communication with the student’s family and are hopeful for a complete recovery.
On October 24, Heminger announced the final verdict on the Rutgers chapter, which stemmed from their investigation confirming that hazing truly took place that night, noting that at one point, “water became involved.” This came amidst various rumors about hazing that authorities were investigating.
What Did We Learn About the Rutgers Hazing Incident?
Heminger emphasized that their fraternity, with around 180 chapters across both North America and Europe, is determined to fully cooperate with university and law enforcement inquiries, seeking maximum penalties for those involved in this unacceptable behavior.
The injured student was discovered unresponsive by Rutgers University Police after they responded to a bad 911 call right around midnight following the hazing incident. Officials are holding the details close to their chest, citing it’s an open case.
Fortunately, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office later confirmed that the student is no longer in critical condition and remains in the care of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. But as of Tuesday, October 28, he was still hospitalized due to the extent of his injuries.
As the investigation unfolds, officials confirmed the fraternity house itself has been deemed uninhabitable by the City of New Brunswick, primarily because of numerous code violations, including gas leaks and faulty electrical systems.
An inspection earlier in May found 50 total violations, which included repairs needed for various defunct fixtures and electrical devices throughout the residence. A follow-up inspection in September revealed some issues had been handled, but others remained unresolved, indicating a long-standing pattern of neglect.
This article first happened to appear on USA TODAY.
