Hazing Incidents Lead to Serious Repercussions for Two Local Fraternity Chapters and Their Members

Haellie Gordon, [1] Fraternal Law Partners, hgordon@manleyburke.com

Two local fraternity chapters and their members face repercussions arising from recent hazing allegations. Specifically, the involved members are now defending against criminal charges, and the chapters are no longer operating.

First, at Michigan State University (MSU), three members of Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity were charged with a felony count of hazing resulting in death, along with three misdemeanor counts of hazing resulting in physical injury.^[1] These criminal charges relate to the death of Phat Nguyen and hospitalization of three other pledging members connected to a party in November 2021.^[2]

The members originally charged were the Chapter’s “pledge master,” “pledge dad,” and president. While videos show the “pledge dad” pouring alcohol into the new members’ mouths, the “pledge master” and president are implicated due to their leadership positions within the Chapter, as the prosecution claims they “knew these actions were taking place and knew the nature of the party.”^[3]

All charges against the Chapter president have since been dismissed, as “there was nothing to show that he individually contributed to what happened” beyond planning the party.^[4] The two remaining individuals have waived preliminary hearings. None of these three individuals are enrolled for the fall semester at MSU.^[5]

Additionally, the Chapter has been disbanded, MSU has removed the organization’s status as a registered organization for at least ten (10) years, and the Pi Alpha Phi National Board has officially closed the Chapter.^[6]

Second, at the University of New Hampshire, police issued arrest warrants for forty-six (46) members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) in relation to alleged hazing at an event involving new members in April 2022.^[7] The incident was initially reported to the SAE National Board, which immediately issued to the Chapter a cease and desist, began its own investigation, and informed the University’s administration. The University then placed the Chapter on an interim suspension pending the completion of the police’s investigation.^[8]  

Under New Hampshire law, police can charge “those who were the subjects and actors of the hazing as well as those who were present for the hazing and didn’t report it.”^[9] According to Emily Garod, the Deputy Strafford County Attorney, although no one was seriously injured or hurt, the allegations concern a “dangerous ritual that needs to end.”^[10] As such, the charges still stand.

Fraternal Law Partners will continue to provide additional updates as these matters progress.

[1] Haellie Gordon is a summer legal intern at Manley Burke and is a rising second-year law student at the University of Cincinnati.

[1] Jared Weber, Three MSU Fraternity Members Face Felony Charge Over Phat Nguyen’s Hazing Death, Lansing St. J. (June 10, 2022, 11:46 AM), https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2022/06/09/michigan-state-fraternity-members-face-felony-over-pledges-death/7571153001/.

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Jared Weber, Charges Dropped for Fraternity Member in Hazing Case; Two Other Men Bound Over on Felonies, Lansing St. J. (Sept. 15, 2022, 4:41 PM), https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2022/09/15/one-students-charges-dropped-two-others-advanced-in-msu-hazing-case/68188219007/.

[5] Id.

[6] Id.

[7] Michelle Watson & Amy Simonson, 46 University of New Hampshire Fraternity Members Issued Arrest Warrants Over Alleged Hazing, CNN (June 14, 2022, 7:52 PM), https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/11/us/unh-fraternity-hazing-charges/index.html.

[8] Id.

[9] Id.

[10] Jack Molmud, University of New Hampshire Hazing Lawsuit Begins for Sigma Alpha Epsilon Brothers, News Ctr. Maine (July 13, 2022, 7:57 PM), https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/university-of-new-hampshire-hazing-lawsuit-begins-for-six-brothers/97-8678f5d0-0733-44c8-9f16-9ab04ecb4ce7.