Sorority in Maine Faces Penalties for ‘Branding’ Pledges
Criminal charges will not be brought against University of Maine sorority members who allegedly branded the hips of pledges during an initiation rite at a Bangor graveyard, school officials said Thursday.
University security officials met with members of the Penobscot County district attorney’s office to discuss the incident, and it was decided the matter would be handled by the school.
The university announced it was withdrawing recognition of the sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, for two years. It said it was still looking into the incident, which reportedly happened at Mt. Hope Cemetery on Sept. 25.
No one was injured, school officials said, but two or three pledges were left with small burn marks.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
