A University of Vermont fraternity has been placed under suspension in connection with an alleged hazing incident, Vice President for Student Affairs Dean Batt today announced.
The local Acacia chapter, located at 404 College St., will have to cease all functions -- including meetings, pledge activities and social events -- as a result of the temporary suspension, while an investigation of the alleged incident takes place.
Batt said that Student Affairs officials were notified this morning that Acacia pledges were participating in a scavenger hunt in which they were asked to insult a student of color. In one case, a student described an incident in which a pledge woke him in the middle of the night and asked him to come meet him at a campus location. He said a group of students met him there, one had a golf club and one had a camera. He said their intent was to hold the club up so it would look in the picture like they were threatening a "colored person." The student said the incident left him "shivering, shocked and confused."
"This is a very serious allegation," Batt said. "Hazing alone is in clear violation of university policy. Targeting students of color is a deplorable form of behavior we will not tolerate on this campus."
President Judith Ramaley, who is traveling on business on the west coast, issued the following statement:
"This alleged behavior, if true, is totally reprehensible and has no place in an educational community, or in any community. I am both frightened and saddened to think that any student could be subjected to such appalling acts of hatred and cowardice. I hope every member of the UVM community will join me in condemning such unconscionable behavior in the strongest terms possible. While this matter remains under investigation, if the allegations are substantiated, it is my expectation that the consequences will be very severe for both the organization and the individuals involved."
Upon notification of the alleged incident, the university´s Police Services met with the only known victim and he has filed a formal complaint. Police Services is now investigating the incident.
Possible sanctions for individuals involved range from a letter of warning to dismissal from the university.