UNL Police searches Sigma Chi fraternity house for evidence of hazing
BY LESLIE REED
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN — University of Nebraska-Lincoln police on Wednesday searched the Sigma Chi fraternity house for evidence relating to allegations of hazing.
UNL spokeswoman Kelly Bartling confirmed the search and an ongoing investigation, but could not provide further details, including when the possible hazing may have occurred. She said no one has been hospitalized in connection to the alleged activity.
She urged anyone with information relating to hazing incidents or allegations to contact UNL police.
UNL is on spring break this week and no students currently are staying at the Sigma Chi house, Bartling said.
The fraternity’s top student officer, Francis Acott, a junior marketing major from Northfield, Ill., said he is out of town during spring break and could offer no information about what is occurring on campus.
“We’re taking the allegations very seriously and working on getting all the facts,” he said. “We plan to work with the University of Nebraska and the national fraternity and will proceed accordingly.”
Hazing is a criminal offense under Nebraska law, which defines it as “any activity by which a person intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, or continued membership” with a college student organization.
Hazing is a misdemeanor, carrying a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Organizations whose members commit hazing can be fined up to $10,000.