POMONA -- A fraternity at Cal Poly Pomona, along with nine of its members, have been suspended after a student was burned during an initiation ceremony.
"These allegations are serious," said Doug Freer, the school's vice president for student affairs. "If found to be true, this incident put student lives at risk and reflects incredibly poor judgment by the student and alumni members of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Our university policy on hazing is clear: zero tolerance."
The fraternity's campus accounts have been frozen, and it will not be permitted to use university facilities, said Tim Lynch, the school's senior media communications coordinator. The suspensions are pending completion of criminal and disciplinary investigations, Lynch said.
Investigators say 14 students were blindfolded and driven to an undisclosed location in the high desert on March 6 for a fraternity initiation ceremony attended by more than 130 fraternity members and alumni.
The blindfolded students were positioned around a large bonfire, and as their blindfolds were removed, gasoline was doused onto the fire for "dramatic effect," Lynch said.
However, some gasoline splashed onto one student, who suffered second-degree burns to his arms, legs and chest, Lynch said. The victim, who university officials said requested anonymity, has since withdrawn from school, Lynch said.
University officials were notified about the alleged hazing May 28, Lynch said.
Among the issues under investigation are allegations that the victim "was not provided appropriate and timely medical attention when it was requested," and that alcohol was provided to students younger than 21, including the victim, Lynch said.
"These allegations are serious," said Doug Freer, the school's vice president for student affairs. "If found to be true, this incident put student lives at risk and reflects incredibly poor judgment by the student and alumni members of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Our university policy on hazing is clear: zero tolerance."
The fraternity's campus accounts have been frozen, and it will not be permitted to use university facilities, said Tim Lynch, the school's senior media communications coordinator. The suspensions are pending completion of criminal and disciplinary investigations, Lynch said.
Investigators say 14 students were blindfolded and driven to an undisclosed location in the high desert on March 6 for a fraternity initiation ceremony attended by more than 130 fraternity members and alumni.
The blindfolded students were positioned around a large bonfire, and as their blindfolds were removed, gasoline was doused onto the fire for "dramatic effect," Lynch said.
However, some gasoline splashed onto one student, who suffered second-degree burns to his arms, legs and chest, Lynch said. The victim, who university officials said requested anonymity, has since withdrawn from school, Lynch said.
University officials were notified about the alleged hazing May 28, Lynch said.
Among the issues under investigation are allegations that the victim "was not provided appropriate and timely medical attention when it was requested," and that alcohol was provided to students younger than 21, including the victim, Lynch said.
