Fraternity Chapter at Rutgers Closed After Hazing and Electrical Incident Leaves Student in Critical Condition
A 19-year-old Rutgers University student was found sleeping at a fraternity residence early October 15. Review found dangerous electrical, water, and hazing risks. This caused the local Alpha Sigma Phi International Fraternity to close forever. The prosecution, university, and national fraternity organization concur that a student was shocked or burned when they touched wet electrical wiring in the College Avenue fraternity house in New Brunswick during a hazing ritual.
The national fraternity closed the branch after the night’s hazing. All parties are expelled. The student remains hospitalized, in danger but stable. Middlesex County Prosecutor probes criminal charges.
Rutgers University officials are worried about the injured student and cooperating with police. Investigating Greek events and safe housing rules. Electrical wiring has been a fraternity house safety hazard. This makes one wonder how effectively off-campus constructions are maintained.
Hazing that causes serious injury is a third-degree crime in NJ. The injuries will prompt the authorities to file the most serious accusations. The national group terminated the Rutgers chapter, signaling they no longer support hazing, especially when it endangers children.
Greek culture’s peer pressure and secrecy may prolong unhealthy practices, as the tragedy shows. Safety experts and school activists want hazing prevention training and stricter housing limits. They define safety as behavior norms and fraternal event safety.
Parents and students are brutally reminded that hazing in dangerous places may kill. Rutgers ASP folded. A warning and a chance to change. Police, university administrators, and national groups must now monitor, open, and responsibly regulate campus groups.
We hope this tragedy will change how schools approach Greek life and culture so brotherhood and community never harm lives.
Sources
ABC News report on fraternity chapter closure
Additional press coverage citing national fraternity statement
