Emma Kinery

USA TODAY

The Towson University chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon has temporarily been suspended by both the school and national chapter after a student was hospitalized in an alleged off-campus hazing incident March 31.

In an email sent to WBAL.com, a relative of the student said as part of a hazing ritual the student had to drink vinegar and pickle juice, and eat cat food. The mixture caused the student to vomit up blood and was taken to a hospital, it said, and was found to have suffered damage to his tongue, esophagus, intestinal lining and stomach.

Chief Information Officer for Tau Kappa Epsilon Alex Baker tells USA TODAY College the organization has suspended the chapter, and is investigating the alleged incident.

"Tau Kappa Epsilon does not condone hazing in any form," says Baker. "These alleged actions do not align with our values of love, charity and esteem. We have temporarily suspended the Pi-Upsilon chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon. We are fully cooperating with the university and police investigations. If these allegations are found to be true, we will address the allegation swiftly and with appropriate action."

Director of Communications for Towson University Ray Feldmann, in an email sent to USA TODAY College, says the university is working to address the situation and that the school has also suspended the chapter.

"We are aware of an off-campus incident involving a Towson University student that is currently under joint investigation by the Towson University Police Department and the Baltimore County Police Department," Feldmann says. "Privacy issues prevent us from providing any additional details at this time. Towson University takes any allegation of hazing very seriously and deals with it swiftly. Our hazing policy is very clear: Hazing is against the law and is strictly prohibited."

In Maryland hazing is a misdemeanor carrying a $500 fine.

The Towson University chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon has not responded to a request for comment.



Emma Kinery is a University of Michigan student and a USA TODAY College correspondent.

This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.