Syracuse University frat Nu Alphi Phi was suspended on Monday after a pledge got severe frostbite and may lose four fingers because of it.
Tae Kim, 19 and Jeffrey Yam, 21 were arrested just after midnight on Sunday and charged with misdemeanor first-degree hazing.
According to police reports, three pledges were punished for not doing their chores properly by being forced to do aerobic exercises that included 30 minutes of sit-ups, push-ups, and crawling exercises in the snow. A 20-year-old pledge said they wore boots, pants, sweatshirts, but no gloves.
Once finished, pledges were told to go back to the fraternity house at 739 Ackerman Ave.. The victim ran his hands under warm water but they continued to hurt through the next morning. He went to Crouse Hospital and was told that he had severe frostbite and could lose four fingers- his pinkie and ring fingers on both hands.
The victim reported the incident to Syracuse University’s Public Safety, who then passed along the report to the Syracuse Police Department.
Kevin Quinn, Syracuse University’s Senior Vice President for Public Affairs explains, “The university is dedicated to promoting a safe and healthy campus environment that rejects all forms of hazing and fosters respect for the dignity and rights of all our campus community members.”
Both suspects were released on appearance tickets and will appear in court. The two uninjured pledges refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Syracuse isn’t the first college to experience such dire hazing rituals. In November, an 18-year-old student at West Virginia University died after being forced to drink large quantities of alcohol while blindfolded. Two days ago, the Beta Zeta Chapter of Sigma Nu at Purdue University has been suspended until 2017 for hazing incidents such as servitude and calisthenics, providing alcohol to minors, and using drugs at functions.
[H/T: Daily Orange]
