UConn Sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma has been banned from campus for four years as punishment for a hazing incident in which a student was forced to lie on the floor and “sizzle like bacon” before consuming large amounts of alcohol. Hillary Holt woke up in the hospital with a blood alcohol level of three times the legal limit.
“Our decision to revoke their registration was not taken lightly, but it was appropriate. Indeed, it was imperative in light of how severe these circumstances were. UConn has no tolerance for hazing. We repeatedly make those expectations clear to all of our student leaders,” campus spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said.
Holt reportedly told authorities that she was made to perform other humiliating acts as part of the hazing ritual and was pressured to drink large amounts of alcohol. However, the sorority leaders feel the punishment doesn’t fit the crime and are considering an appeal, which they have until May 15th to file. National vice president Elizabeth Bailey said that a lengthy ban “for the poor decisions made by a few individuals at an unsanctioned event is wrong.”
Sorority hazing has come under scrutiny lately after the deaths of college students, most recently Chun “Michael” Deng of Baruch College. Deng was forced–along with several other fraternity hopefuls–to wear a backpack full of sand and run blindfolded through a gauntlet as the frat brothers pushed him to the ground. When he became unresponsive, some of the other students carried him into the house and researched his symptoms–including swelling at the back of his head–before driving him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead hours later, and his death was eventually ruled a homicide.
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