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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Campus police are investigating a violation of rules against hazing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Court documents said police have obtained video of a Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity member being duct taped to a bench outside the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority house earlier this month. The video shows the student was wearing only underwear as he was doused with ketchup and mustard, the Lincoln Journal Star reported (http://bit.ly/1PmoYVd ).
It's unclear how long he was restrained. The video shows him freeing his hands and pulling off tape while still being sprayed with the condiments.
Lancaster County court documents allege that fraternity members told police the incident was part of a tradition where freshmen members pick a senior member to "repay the seniors for what they do to the freshmen." Fraternity members said the tradition "was more of an honor than 'payback,'" according to court documents.
Police said investigators were granted a search warrant, and the video from a surveillance camera was obtained on Dec. 16. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Under Nebraska law, hazing is defined as any activity in which a person "intentionally or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health or safety of an individual" for the purpose of initiation, admission or affiliation with any organization.
University spokesman Steve Smith said no action has been taken against the fraternity yet, but that the university would do so "at the appropriate time." A fraternity spokesman declined comment.
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Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, http://www.journalstar.com
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