The head of the University of Maryland system and a state legislator called for tougher penalties on fraternity hazing following revelations of student abuse at an initiation ritual.
A local prosecutor said he is reviewing the incident at Salisbury University, which the school found involved forced drinking, immersion in ice, and basement confinement of recruits at a Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter. SAE’s national organization reopened its investigation into the case.
Fallout from the episode, first reported by Bloomberg News on Dec. 30, illustrates the growing concern about fraternity hazing and out-of-control drinking. As fraternity membership has soared nationwide, there have been more than 60 fraternity-related deaths since 2005, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. SAE has had nine deaths since 2006.
‘‘The penalties need to be strengthened,’’ said William Kirwan, chancellor of the University of Maryland system, which includes Salisbury. ‘‘It sends the signal that hazing is unacceptable, and that the state, the system, and its institutions have zero tolerance.’’
Maryland state Senator Jamie Raskin said he plans to introduce legislation in the coming session to increase the fine for hazing, a misdemeanor, to $5,000 from $500.
Most states consider hazing a misdemeanor, said Cindy Tesch, a researcher at the University of Maine.