2008 Woodie Awards
Fraternity Charged with Hazing
Delta Chi Suspended after 19 Members Arrested in Rockaway
Jessica Havery
Issue date: 12/2/04 Section: News
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Delta Chi, a Class IV organization of the SGA, was suspended by the University Tuesday after 19 members of the organization were arrested and charged with hazing and underage alcohol consumption last week, a University press release reported.
Last week, Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, two Rockaway Township police officers spotted cars near the entrance of Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, police said.
The Delta Chi brothers had taken the 20-minute walk to the hawk watch area to hold the chapter's initiation, police said.
Students pledging the fraternity had allegedly been ordered to run, roll and do calisthenics near an open bonfire and the edge of a 75 to 100-foot drop. A keg of beer was also found at the site.
"[The pledges] were covered in mud from head to toe," police Captain James Stafzak said. "They were up there in the middle of the night. What they were doing there was not safe," he said.
Someone could have easily wandered off and fallen, police said.
"We have zero tolerance for any violation of our strict and direct anti-hazing policy," said Karen L. Pennington, vice president for Student Development and Campus Life.
According to the University's Anti-Hazing policy, a person is guilty of hazing, as well as a disorderly persons offense if, in connection with the initiation of applicants to or members of a student organization, he or she knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events, which place or may place another person in danger of mental or bodily injury.
"[The University] simply will not tolerate this type of behavior," said Pennington. "However, we need to undertake a complete, thorough and impartial investigation before we can take any further action."
Delta Chi President Bryan Lubliner, 21, of Fair Lawn was one of the members charged with hazing.
Lubliner said that the chapter was cooperating with everyone [involved], including the University and the fraternity's international headquarters.
Last week, Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, two Rockaway Township police officers spotted cars near the entrance of Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, police said.
The Delta Chi brothers had taken the 20-minute walk to the hawk watch area to hold the chapter's initiation, police said.
Students pledging the fraternity had allegedly been ordered to run, roll and do calisthenics near an open bonfire and the edge of a 75 to 100-foot drop. A keg of beer was also found at the site.
"[The pledges] were covered in mud from head to toe," police Captain James Stafzak said. "They were up there in the middle of the night. What they were doing there was not safe," he said.
Someone could have easily wandered off and fallen, police said.
"We have zero tolerance for any violation of our strict and direct anti-hazing policy," said Karen L. Pennington, vice president for Student Development and Campus Life.
According to the University's Anti-Hazing policy, a person is guilty of hazing, as well as a disorderly persons offense if, in connection with the initiation of applicants to or members of a student organization, he or she knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events, which place or may place another person in danger of mental or bodily injury.
"[The University] simply will not tolerate this type of behavior," said Pennington. "However, we need to undertake a complete, thorough and impartial investigation before we can take any further action."
Delta Chi President Bryan Lubliner, 21, of Fair Lawn was one of the members charged with hazing.
Lubliner said that the chapter was cooperating with everyone [involved], including the University and the fraternity's international headquarters.