All official fraternity and sorority activities have been suspended at the University at Buffalo after an allegation of violent physical hazing, the school announced on Saturday.
According to the university, Sebastian Serafin-Bazan, an 18-year-old freshman, was hospitalized on Friday morning resulting from “suspected” hazing while pledging the Sigma Pi fraternity.
University officials have temporarily suspended all Greek organizations on campus pending an investigation and internal review into their activities.
“As the investigation into this very serious matter continues, let me reiterate that our university has zero tolerance for hazing. Not only are hazing incidents a violation of our university policies, but they are also crimes,” university president Satish K. Tripathi said.
“The university will perform an internal review into the activities of UB fraternities and sororities and will strongly counsel all Greek organizations about UB’s zero tolerance policy on hazing and the very serious consequences of hazing.”
According to an article published by The Buffalo News, the preliminary toxicology report said that Serafin-Bazan had no drugs or alcohol in his system. Police officers said he was forced to exercise the whole night, causing physical distress which led to cardiac arrest.
“One of the fraternity brothers told us that they carried him outside to get him some fresh air after he fell and hit the back of his head on a coffee table,” Patty Adams, who lives next door to the Sigma Pi fraternity house, told The Buffalo News. “We were told he had the flu.”
Serafin-Bazan is currently recovering at the Buffalo General Hospital.
In February, Delaware State University suspended its chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity for potential hazing after four of its students were seriously injured in a car crash. Parents alleged the fraternity of hazing, sleep deprivation and sending students on “missions” at all hours of the day.
Other universities are also cracking down on policy violations by various Greek organizations. Last month, Tau Kappa Epsilon was suspended at the University of Georgia after a video showing members using racial slurs surfaced on social media platforms.