Indictments in hazing stir fears, College administrators worry over their liability

The recent indictment of two Rider University administrators following the alcohol-related death of a student at a fraternity is prompting colleges and universities across the state and country to review their alcohol policies. But perhaps a bigger worry for schools is the amount of liability they might be asked to bear for students' dangerous behavior. "I can assure you there are a lot of conversations taking place on campuses about this," said George Brelsford, dean of students at Rowan University in Glassboro. "Certainly we are watching this case very closely. We are reviewing everything we do as it relates to alcohol and student groups. You always ask yourself the same question in higher education: 'Could that happen here?'"

The two Rider officials, Dean of Students Anthony Campbell, 51, of Lawrence, and director of Greek (fraternity) life, Ada Badgley, 31, of Lawrenceville, were indicted on charges of aggravated hazing after an 18-year-old freshman collapsed at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house on the school's Lawrenceville campus. The student reportedly had chugged nearly a full bottle of hard liquor at a pledge party. Also indicted in the March incident were three students affiliated with the fraternity. All have pleaded not guilty and a court date has been set for Sept. 10.

While prosecutors have released few details about the case surrounding the death of Gary DeVercelly of Long Beach, Calif., the impact of the case could be far-reaching. College officials across the country are scrambling to beef up their alcohol policies and plan to discuss responsible behavior with students when schools open in September. Some experts speculate a guilty verdict could signal a sea change in liability risks on campuses, causing insurance premiums to escalate and colleges to distance themselves from Greek organizations, or even attempt to ban them.

Indictments in hazing stir fears
08/19/2007
The recent indictment of two Rider University administrators following the alcohol-related death of a student at a fraternity is prompting colleges and universities across the state and country to review their alcohol policies. But perhaps a bigger worry for schools is the amount of liability they might be asked to bear for students' dangerous behavior. "I can assure you there are a lot of conversations taking place on campuses about this," said George Brelsford, dean of students at Rowan Uni...

- NJ: Star-Ledger (Articles) : Read More

Two enter pleas in hazing death
08/17/2007
A Rider University administrator indicted on charges of aggravated hazing in a case that's garnered national attention pleaded not guilty in court yesterday. Ada Badgley, director of Greek life, did not comment as she hurried from the courthouse with her lawyer after the brief proceeding. Anthony Campbell, 51, the dean of students, was charged in the indictment as well and also has pleaded innocent. Badgley, 30, is one of five people charged by a grand jury after freshman Gary DeVercelly Jr.,...

- NJ: Times of Trenton (Articles) : Read More

New court date set in hazing death
08/17/2007
After arraigning the last two of five defendants yesterday on charges related to the binge drinking death of an 18-year-old freshman fraternity pledge in March in the case, a Superior Court judge wants them all back in court Sept. 10. That is when the prosecution could offer plea bargains to the defendants, who are charged with aggravated hazing in the death of Gary DeVercelly of Long Beach, Calif. Defense lawyers could also move for dismissal of the charges at that time. Yesterday, Ada Badgl...

- NJ: Star-Ledger (Articles) : Read More

Two more plead innocent in Rider binge-drinking death
08/16/2007
TRENTON - The Rider University director of Greek life and a student entered pleas of innocent in Superior Court Thursday to a charge of aggravated hazing. The two were the last of five, including the dean of students, who were indicted by a Mercer County grand jury after the March death of freshman Gary DeVercelly Jr., who died of alcohol poisoning after drinking during a fraternity pledging ritual. Ada Badgley, 30, the director of Greek life, had no comment as she hurried away from the cou...

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2 more Rider hazing suspects plead not guilty
08/16/2007
Noah Addis/The Star-Ledger Ada Badgley, director of Greek life at Rider University in court today. The Rider University director of Greek life and a student fraternity pledge master pleaded not guilty today to a charge of aggravated hazing that stems from the binge drinking death of an 18-year-old freshman in March. The pleas were entered in Superior Court in Trenton by the attorneys for Ada Badgley, 31, of Lawrence, the college official who oversees the operation of fraternities at the c...

- Blogs - Breaking News : Read More

2 from Rider to face charges in student's alcohol death
08/16/2007
A Rider University administrator and a student were expected in court today, charged with aggravated hazing in a case in which three others have already pleaded not guilty. Ada Badgley, 31, the university's director of Greek life, and Dominic Olsen, 21, pledge master for the Phi Kappa Tau house's spring 2007 pledge class, are among five administrators and students charged in connection with the death of Gary DeVercelly Jr., 18, of Long Beach, Calif.

- Blogs - Breaking News : Read More

Tragedy sparks Greek debate
08/15/2007
College officials nationwide are shuddering over the indictments of two Rider University administrators in the alleged hazing death of a fraternity pledge, but experts say Greek life will survive amid growing caution. "This is unprecedented," said Kyle Pendleton, president of the Association of Fraternity Advisors and dean of students at Purdue University in Indiana, about the indictments. "There is no protocol for anything like this." Five people, including the dean of students and the direc...

- NJ: Times of Trenton (Articles) : Read More

Binge-drinking busts go too far
08/14/2007
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following editorial first appeared in yesterday's Star-Ledger. B inge drinking on college campuses is a serious problem. School administrators share some of the blame for a culture that looks upon illegal underage drinking as a rite of passage. But the indictment of two Rider University administrators in connection with the death of freshman Gary DeVercelly Jr. seems to be a stretch, at best, if not an outright abuse of prosecutorial powers. Anthony Campbell, 51, the dean o...

- NJ: Jersey Journal (Articles) : Read More

2 Rider administrators take leaves of absence
08/14/2007
LAWRENCE -- The two Rider University administrators who were indicted on a charge of aggra vated hazing in the March death of a freshman have been granted paid leaves of absence to prepare their court defenses. Anthony Campbell, 51, the dean of students, and Ada Badgley, 31, director of Greek life, were recently indicted on the aggravated hazing charge along with three students after the March 30 death of Gary DeVercelly Jr. The case is being widely watched among college administrators as the...

- NJ: Times of Trenton (Articles) : Read More

Rider officials granted paid leaves
08/13/2007
LAWRENCE -- The two Rider University administrators who were indicted on a charge of aggravated hazing in the March death of a freshman have been granted paid leaves of absence to prepare their court defenses. Anthony Campbell, 51, the dean of students, and Ada Badgley, 31, director of Greek life, recently were indicted on the aggravated hazing charge along with three students after the March 30 death of Gary DeVercelly Jr. The case is being widely watched among college administrators as th...

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