UCLA officials probe alleged hazing

[UPI]

UCLA officials probe alleged hazing

LOS ANGELES, April 3 (UPI) - UCLA officials say (Friday) they're
investigating an alleged fraternity hazing incident that injured two
students, one of whom is in critical condition and suffering from kidney
failure. Campus police said they were notified earlier this week about
the incident by the UCLA Medical Center emergency room, where the
students were taken for what appeared to be extreme physical exertion
and dehydration.
--

bc-ca-hazing
--------
This article remains the property of United Press International and is not
to be modified or redistributed in any way. It is provided as information
through license arrangement between UPI and Pathlink Technology Corporation.

[UPI]

UCLA probes alleged hazing incident

LOS ANGELES, April 3 (UPI) - UCLA is investigating an alleged hazing
incident involving the fraternity Omega Sigma Tau that injured at least
two students, one of whom was hospitalized in critical condition.

UCLA spokesman Daniel Page said campus police were notified about the
incident by the UCLA Medical Center emergency room, where two students
were taken for dehydration and extreme physical exertion.

Page said 18-year-old freshman Marshall Lai remains in critical
condition with kidney failure. Another student - identified only as a
sophomore from Orange County - was released from the hospital Thursday.

A third unidentified fraternity pledge has also been hospitalized in
San Jose, but the nature of his injuries was not known.

Campus police reports say 25 of the fraternity's 26 pledges have been
interviewed and confirmed that at least two victims engaged in strenuous
activity, possibly ``heavy duty'' calisthenics, for at least one hour.

Authorities said the alleged hazing may have taken place on campus or
the beach.

The fraternity has been associated with UCLA for more than three
decades, is made up mostly of Asian American students but does not have
a house or meeting place on campus.

UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale said: ``Conduct of the sort
associated with hazing poses a threat to...students and is totally
unacceptable. I want to be unequivocal in stating the university
deplores and condemns this...activity.''

Investigators have had difficulty tracking down fraternity members
because students are on spring break this week.
--

Copyright 1998 by United Press International.

All rights reserved.