Five University of Alabama students were arrested due to an investigation of hazing allegations involving Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, according to a statement by Chris Bryant, assistant director of media relations at the University.
Bryant said UAPD arrested Colter K. Anderson, 21; John Patrick Buckley, 21; Hunter Lee Wagner, 20; and Richard E. Markwalter, 20, and face three hazing charges. Mark Allen Powers, 20, faces one hazing charge.
The students were booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail, Bryant said. Each student’s bond is $1,000.
The arrests followed an investigation by UAPD and the UA Office of Student Conduct, Bryant said.
Bryant said the University has placed interim sanctions on the chapter, including no social events and no new member activities.
The investigation is ongoing, Bryant said.
“The University of Alabama will not tolerate hazing and takes allegations and incidents of hazing very seriously,” said Tim Hebson, dean of students, in an emailed statement to Bryant. “Students who are the victims of, or who become aware of, hazing incidents are strongly encouraged to bring these incidents to our attention.”
Hazing information can be reported to the University via the 348-HALT confidential hotline or a direct call to UAPD.
Those with information or concerns can email [email protected].
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
UPDATE: Per an anonymous source, fraternity members required pledges to stand in buckets of ice and salt, resulting in severe injury. University officials released no specifics regarding the arrests. It is unknown if the two are directly related. As of 9:45, the five arrested students had bonded out, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office website.
UPDATE (12:30 p.m., 10/01/15): Bill Martin, executive director of Phi Gamma Delta, released the following statement Thursday morning:
“The incident that prompted the arrests of members of Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Alabama took place on September 14. When the chapter president learned of the incident, he took the initiative to conduct an investigation and then contacted the University to report his findings. The president and other officers of the chapter, exercising their disciplinary authority, suspended all of the members who were involved. One of those members lived in the chapter house and has been required to move from the house.
Phi Gamma Delta International Fraternity, in concert with the University, has imposed a temporary suspension of chapter activities while the investigation continues.
Phi Gamma Delta has a long-standing prohibition of hazing, and members are instructed on that position early and often, including the consequences of violations. Any member who engages in hazing does so out of defiance of the Fraternity’s position and not ignorance of it.”
This post will be updated as more information becomes available. Those with information or concerns can contact [email protected].
