Police have issued arrest warrants for 46 fraternity members at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in connection to an alleged hazing incident in April.
The allegations are directed against the university’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter and its members. Police said the incident occurred on April 13 at an event involving new members but did not disclose further details about the incident.
So far, 10 out of the 46 charged have turned themselves in. They have arraignments scheduled for July 13. If convicted, students could face a fine of up to $1,200, while the chapter faces a maximum fine of $20,000.
UNH said it was made aware of the incident by the fraternity’s national headquarters and has since suspended its SAE chapter.
University spokesperson, Erika Mantz, wrote in an email to NEWS CENTER Maine that the school takes hazing allegations seriously, “and now that the police investigation is complete, we will be initiating a formal conduct process.”
Similar Incidents
As hazing incidents continue to devastate universities, multiple Greek life organizations have been cited for pandemic-related violations, drug busts, and student deaths in recent years.
The incident at UNH comes days after a family shared a video of a hazing incident at the University of Missouri that left a student brain-damaged and paralyzed.
In a similar incident last year, 19-year-old Virginia Commonwealth freshman Adam Oakes lost his life after being forced to drink a whole bottle of alcohol during a fraternity rush event.
Oakes’ parents have recently launched a website to “create awareness of potential dangers students face on college campuses.”