A Rutgers University fraternity has been permanently closed following a frat house hazing incident that left a 19-year-old student hospitalized in critical condition earlier this month. The Alpha Sigma Phi chapter was shuttered after investigators confirmed hazing occurred in the basement of the off-campus house in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on Oct. 15.
According to NJ.com, the student was electrocuted after coming into contact with a live wire and water during an initiation event. A second student was shocked while attempting to help. Responding officers discovered one of the victims unresponsive after tracing a disconnected 911 call to the fraternity home.
“Based on our investigation, hazing did occur and as a result, the fraternity made the decision to close the chapter,” said Gordy Heminger, spokesperson for Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc. He added that the event involved “underground and unreported new members” and that “at some point, water became involved.” Heminger called on Rutgers to expel any students involved and urged prosecutors to pursue “the maximum penalties allowed.”
Investigators later discovered the frat house hazing occurred in a building long known for safety problems. NJ Advance Media reported that a July 2025 inspection uncovered numerous “life safety” violations, including multiple electrical hazards. Officials have since declared the property unsafe. The home, owned by the fraternity’s national arm and managed by CLVEN, was also broken into after the incident, with members reporting stolen belongings and graffiti reading “Beware” and “RIP ASIG 2025.”
Rutgers imposed a cease-and-desist order following the incident and initially placed the chapter on probation before revoking its charter entirely. As of Friday, no criminal charges had been filed, and the injured student was no longer in critical condition.
