Fraternity at Rutgers University Permanently Closed After Hazing Incident

A branch of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity at Rutgers University has been permanently shut down following a serious hazing incident earlier this month, according to reports. A 19-year-old member was hospitalized in critical condition after allegedly suffering an electric shock on October 15 while in contact with water.

Authorities were alerted through a 911 call and found the student injured and unresponsive when they arrived. A spokesperson for the fraternity, Gordy Hemminger, indicated that hazing occurred, leading to the decision to close the chapter. The incident reportedly took place in the basement of an off-campus fraternity house.

“At some point, water became involved,” Hemminger stated. He added that claims suggesting the situation was merely students listening to music in the dark were misleading. “We are still trying to figure out who and how many people were involved,” he commented, hinting at potential serious ramifications as the investigation continues.

Heminger called for the expulsion of all students involved and expressed hopes that Rutgers would take similar action. As of now, no charges have been filed regarding the incident, and the injured student is reportedly no longer in serious condition.

It’s worth noting that the fraternity house has a history of code violations, which has added to the scrutiny surrounding this case. Authorities have since declared the structure unsafe.

This event draws attention to a broader issue of hazing in fraternities. For example, Timothy Piazza, a New Jersey resident, tragically died in 2021 after being forced to drink excessively while at Penn State University, prompting the state to adopt stricter hazing laws.

As Rutgers and the fraternity’s national organization continue to respond to this incident, there remains a growing call for accountability and an end to such dangerous practices in college organizations.