Rutgers Fraternity Suspended After Student Critically Injured

A fraternity at Rutgers University has been suspended following a serious incident that left a 19-year-old student hospitalized in critical condition. The local chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi was placed on interim suspension after the student was discovered unresponsive at a residence on College Avenue in New Brunswick, New Jersey, early Wednesday morning.

Rutgers University officials confirmed that they issued a cease-and-desist order on all fraternity activities and placed the chapter on organizational disciplinary probation until May 18, 2024. Additionally, the fraternity is under social probation until November 3, 2024. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office reported that authorities responded to an emergency call at approximately 12:26 a.m. on Wednesday, where they found the student injured.

The student was subsequently transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. The specifics of the incident and the exact location within the residence where it occurred have not been confirmed by authorities.

In response to the incident, Gordy Heminger, a spokesperson for Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc., stated, “We are currently gathering information as to what happened that evening, but to be very clear… if it is determined by the fraternity, the university, or law enforcement that the undergraduate members hazed that evening, the chapter will be closed.” Heminger emphasized that any member involved in hazing activities would face permanent expulsion and that the fraternity would advocate for the maximum penalties available from the university and law enforcement.

“Hazing has no part in the Alpha Sigma Phi experience. It is not condoned nor is it tolerated,” he added. The chapter at Rutgers had recently undergone training on Health and Safety Guidelines, including issues surrounding hazing.

This incident occurs during a busy weekend at Rutgers, coinciding with homecoming and Family Weekend. Students reported hearing about the hospitalization, with one freshman, Adriana Lesniak, expressing concern: “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.”

Nearby fraternity houses declined to comment on the situation. Rutgers University has directed all inquiries to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office as the investigation continues.

The university community is now grappling with the implications of this incident, as both students and faculty await further developments from law enforcement and university officials.