A West Virginia University fraternity was kicked off campus and a student arrested due to a violation of the school's hazing policy.
A pledge to Phi Kappa Psi at WVU was injured in a hazing incident on Nov. 15, according to WBOY. The victim told police he suffered a concussion and needed stitches on his chin.
Following a police investigation, 21-year-old Andrew Nemes was arrested and charged with battery and hazing. Nemes was released on a $2,000 bond. Police warned more arrests could follow, the West Virginia Gazette reports.
In addition to police proceedings, Phi Kappa Psi will shut its doors on Jan. 1 to begin a five semester suspension. It will then be put on inactive status. It could be five years before the fraternity is allowed back on campus.
Vice President of Student Affairs Ken Gray said in a news release, "we need to make clear that hazing will not be tolerated and if the members can’t exhibit the kind of behavior expected, the chapter will be shut down entirely."
"Phi Kappa Psi has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hazing and holds the safety and well-being of our members as our top priority," Phi Kappa Psi national Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth said in a statement. "West Virginia Alpha has jeopardized that by participating in activities that aim to humiliate or harm new members and it will not be tolerated."
Nationally, there have been 60 fraternity-related deaths since 2005, largely involving alcohol and hazing incidents on college campuses, according to Bloomberg News. But hazing has other consequences besides the risk of death, experts warn.
"It can serve as a trauma that can have long lasting effects," Christine Schimmel, a WVU psychology professor, told WDTV. "It can effect your relationships in the future, a persons ability to attach to others, and the ability to trust someone."