HAZING SUSPENSION APPEALED

The local chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity has appealed the three-year suspension handed down by Southeast Missouri State University for hazing.

The fraternity will make its case in writing to Dr. SueAnn Strom, vice president of student affairs.

Strom is expected to rule on the appeal within a few weeks, said Dr. Kimberly Barrett, dean of students.

Barrett said Monday the fraternity's appeal must be made on specific grounds. Those grounds are: substantial procedural error, significant new information or excessive punishment.

Southeast officials suspended the fraternity in late August for a hazing incident that occurred last fall. The complaint was made by Joseph Dustin Frisella, a former pledge who said he was subjected to verbal abuse during a hazing ritual.

Frisella provided the university with a copy of an audio tape of the hazing incident.