UNSCRIPTED Hazing Death at Southern University
By Keith Edmonds
FWIS Contributing Writer
“I maintain my client’s innocence and urge the public to withhold rushing to judgement until all of the evidence is heard. Many young lives in our community have been altered by this tragedy, and the students and faculty of Southern University have felt it’s enormous impact.” ~Phillip Robinson (Attorney for one of 3 men charged in this incident).
“HAZING” has long been a part of Greek Life, but should it still be allowed?
Now before I go into this piece (and alienate myself from my friends and family that are in fraternities and sororities) I want to preface this story by expressing my condolences for the family of Caleb Wilson (Southern University A&M in Baton Rouge Louisiana) who died from allegedly being hazed by fellow fraternity members back in February of this year. I wanted to look into what actually occurred in this incident and see if this long-standing college ritual should continue to be a part of Greek life and its rite of passage for potential pledges as more and more reports come from our nation’s collegiate campuses of students being hurt, injured, or even killed trying to become members of various “frats”.
Three students are facing charges of felony manslaughter and criminal hazing leading to severe injury or death, as in this case. Their cases are coming up in May of this year to determine what actually happened and who were the “key players” involved. Now, as many of you know (or have experienced) fraternities and sororities are as part of college life as sports or any other extracurricular activity on college campuses. The issue is hazing which is: “A form of initiation that occurs when new members enter certain social groups most often characterized by degrading, humiliating, or dangerous tasks or behaviors.” Folks, is this necessary anymore? Again, I know it’s a part of Greek culture and who am I to say if it should stay or go because I’ve never been a part of that life. I’m just looking at it from the outside and asking the question; What is the gain from being publicly humiliated and demeaned just to be a part of an organization? Campus life is such an important piece to students “college experiences” and being “accepted” is something that cannot be understated as students find their way through their 4 or 5 years while on campus. Greek Life can be an amazing experience for young people but unfortunately because of incidents like this situation, students can be violated without even knowing that they have been as they gain that aforementioned experience.
Because of the rise of hazing related incidents as of January 1st, 2025, and beginning June 25th 2025 colleges will be required to report any/all reports of hazing reports whether or not they are an organization and also must publish policies related to student/group hazing including prevention and awareness programs!
But back to the Wilson story...
Detectives interviewed over a dozen people to find out what happened to Wilson as reports say that a group of men dropped him off at the emergency room of a local hospital after he collapsed while playing basketball at a park. It was later found that the incident happened at a local warehouse 3 ½ miles from the park as fraternity members were punching pledges with boxing gloves and Wilson collapsed after being struck in the chest and having a seizure. Reports also revealed that no one called 911 and members of Omega Psi Phi were under review for their involvement. Those 3 men most closely related to the death are being charged with manslaughter and not murder as officials are not able to prove whether murder was the intent, but his death was caused by another felony “criminal hazing.”
In the aftermath of what has happened, Southern University has tried to address the concerns of their community with a series of updates including:
1) Banning membership intake for ALL student organizations
2) ALL organizations on campus undergo anti-hazing training.
3) The Fraternity Omega Psi Phi will cease all activities for the remainder of the school year with no additional memberships being allowed and expulsion being a viable outlet to be discussed amongst campus superiors.
University President/Mayor Sid Edwards said in his press conference “I encourage young people to make better decisions. I have had too many of “these types” of family meetings of young people that have died.” This is such a tragic situation for Southern University but maybe just maybe it will open the eyes of students at campuses across this nation as to the adverse effects of hazing throughout this country. The 3 students that have been charged are being ridiculed and though no final verdict has been given, it’s important to remember the words of Phillip Robinson (who is representing one of the 3 men being charged) “I maintain my client’s innocence and urge the public to withhold rushing to judgement until all of the evidence is heard. Many young lives in our community have been altered by this tragedy, and the students and faculty of Southern University have felt it’s enormous impact.” Powerful words for a situation that many will continue to keep their eyes on!