Rutgers Fraternity Suspended After Student, 19, Critically Hurt

URGENT UPDATE: A Rutgers University fraternity has been suspended following a shocking incident that left a 19-year-old student hospitalized with critical injuries. The local chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi, located on the New Brunswick, New Jersey campus, is under interim suspension as the investigation unfolds.

Authorities confirmed that Rutgers University issued a cease and desist order on all fraternity activities on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. The chapter is also on disciplinary probation until May 18 and social probation until November 3.

Emergency responders were called to a residence on College Avenue at 12:26 a.m. Wednesday after a disconnected emergency call. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the injured student unresponsive. He was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office reported that they are still investigating the exact circumstances of the incident, including where it occurred within the fraternity house. The residence has been marked as an unsafe structure, further raising concerns about the safety of fraternity activities on campus.

Gordy Heminger, a spokesperson for Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc., emphasized the organization’s zero-tolerance policy towards hazing. He stated,

“If it is determined by the fraternity, the university, or law enforcement that the undergraduate members hazed that evening, the chapter will be closed, and any member who directly or indirectly participated in those activities will be permanently expelled.”

Heminger assured that the fraternity regularly trains its members on health and safety guidelines, including hazing prevention.

This incident occurs during a busy weekend for Rutgers, coinciding with homecoming and Family Weekend. Students on campus expressed shock over the incident. Freshman Adriana Lesniak remarked, “The whole scenario is insane because people pay a lot of money to join frats, and stuff like that happens. You really have to think about, like, is it worth the money?”

As of now, Rutgers University has directed all inquiries to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office as the investigation continues.

With the fraternity community under scrutiny, this developing story raises critical questions about safety and accountability in Greek life at universities across the nation. Watch for updates as authorities gather more information on this alarming situation.