'Water became involved': Hazing incident permanently closes Rutgers fraternity Natalie Neysa Alund and Erik Larsen, USA TODAY October 29, 2025 at 1:56 AM 0 A hazing incident that left a college student in critical condition earlier this month prompted an international fraternity to permanently close...
- - 'Water became involved': Hazing incident permanently closes Rutgers fraternity
Natalie Neysa Alund and Erik Larsen, USA TODAY October 29, 2025 at 1:56 AM
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A hazing incident that left a college student in critical condition earlier this month prompted an international fraternity to permanently close one of its U.S. chapters.
The move stemmed from a Wednesday, Oct. 15 episode involving Alpha Sigma Phi at Rutgers University that left a 19-year-old student from Matawan, New Jersey, hospitalized.
Gordy Heminger, president and chief executive officer of the Alpha Sigma Phi International Fraternity, confirmed to The Asbury Park Press its members at the New Jersey university would be expelled from the organization.
Rutgers previously reported the fraternity had been issued a cease-and-desist order and placed on disciplinary probation in connection with the incident.
Late last week, on Friday, Oct. 24, the fraternity's international president said the Rutgers chapter had been permanently closed.
"The fraternity's investigation concluded that hazing occurred that evening and at some point, water became involved," Heminger said.
The confirmation came on the heels of rumors of hazing that had previously been unconfirmed by university officials and law enforcement.
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Heminger said the international fraternity, which has about 180 chapters across North America and Europe, "will continue to fully cooperate with the investigations by the university and law enforcement and hope anyone involved in the hazing will face the maximum penalties permitted by law."
The student, who was taken to a hospital, was found injured and unresponsive by Rutgers University Police responding to a disconnected 911 call at the fraternity house, just after midnight the day of the incident.
Officials have not released details about how the student was injured, citing the open case.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office confirmed late last week the student, whose name has not been released, was no longer listed in critical condition at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
But the student remained hospitalized on Tuesday, Oct. 28, Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Public Information Officer Brynn Krause told USA TODAY.
"The victim is still receiving treatment for his injuries," Krause said.
As of Friday, officials told USA TODAY the investigations by the prosecutor's office and the university remained under investigation.
Rutgers fraternity house declared uninhabitable
The City of New Brunswick has since deemed the fraternity house, which has a history of code violations, an unsafe structure and declared it uninhabitable due to multiple safety issues, including gas leaks, electrical problems, and fire alarm failures.
According to a report from the state Department of Community Affairs, a May inspection uncovered 50 violations prompting orders to address "unused fixtures, circuits, wiring and electrical devices in the basement and other areas of the building."
Records show a September follow-up inspection found violations including the basement electrical issue, had been abated, while a dozen others were outstanding.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund. Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hazing incident permanently closes Rutgers fraternity
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