A pledge for a fraternity at Syracuse University may lose some of his fingers from frostbite after being forced to crawl through snow in subzero temperatures and now the fraternity is being investigated for hazing, authorities report.
Three students pledging the Nu Alpha Phi fraternity were subjected to the freezing temperatures at a local park last Saturday where they were forced to do calisthenics and crawl through the icy snow.
One of the students later went to the emergency room where he was diagnosed with severe frostbite of the hands.
Authorities reported that the 20-year-old man may lose both his pinky fingers and maybe even both ring fingers.
“Obviously he’s concerned because this could be a life-altering injury,” Syracuse police Lt. Eric Carr said.
By Wednesday, police arrested frat leaders Tae Kim, 19, and Jeffrey Yam, 21. Both were charged with misdemeanor first-degree hazing.
The frat, described as an Asian-centered organization, has been suspended pending an investigation into the incident, with the college saying it has “zero tolerance for any form of hazing.”
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