Fraternity Suspended After Student Found Unresponsive

A fraternity at Rutgers University in New Jersey has been suspended following a concerning incident where a student was discovered unresponsive at his off-campus residence last week.

According to reports, police were called to the Alpha Sigma Phi house in New Brunswick on Wednesday. Upon arrival, they found the 19-year-old student in critical condition and promptly transported him to a local hospital.

In a statement, Rutgers University expressed deep concern regarding the incident. They mentioned that university officials are in touch with the student’s family, providing support during this trying time and hope for a complete recovery.

While the cause is still being investigated, it has been indicated that the student may have come into contact with electricity while at home. A parent of another student residing in the house mentioned this happened while a group of them was listening to music, leading to the victim’s contact with a live power line.

As authorities look into the situation, it has been revealed that inspection records show the fraternity hall has experienced multiple safety violations since 2014. A recent inspection from July 2025 noted various electrical hazards and other serious safety concerns throughout the building, which is owned by Alpha Sigma Phi and managed by its national housing chapter.

In response, the university issued a cease-and-desist order on Wednesday, halting all fraternity activities. Additionally, the chapter has been placed on community probation until early November and on institutional disciplinary probation until May 2026.

The national organization of Alpha Sigma Phi has also temporarily suspended the chapter. The CEO of the fraternity emphasized that hazing is not acceptable in any form and will not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is leading the investigation, although they have yet to disclose the student’s identity or provide further details.