University at Buffalo officials have identified the undergraduate student who was victim of the suspected hazing incident on Friday as Sebastian Serafin-Bazan.
The 18-year-old freshman from Port Chester, New York was hospitalized following an alleged hazing incident at a house on Custer Street, involving the Sigma Pi fraternity. According to hospital staff, Serafin-Bazan remains in stable condition.
The fraternity's national chapter later confirmed it had learned of a "reported allegation of health & safety policy violations" at the Epsilon-Omicron Chapter at UB. Sigma Pi CEO Jonathan Frost previously said the organization was still gathering information on the incident.
A neighbor told Spectrum News they saw a body lying in the yard in front of a Custer Street home.
School President Satish K. Tripathi released a statement saying in part:
"This morning, I was informed that one of our UB students had been hospitalized with a serious medical condition as the result of a possible hazing incident. We have reached out to the student’s family and are providing all the assistance and comfort we can to them during this incredibly difficult time. I ask you to keep this student — one of our own — and his family in your thoughts.
As the investigation into this very serious matter continues, let me reiterate that our university has zero tolerance for hazing. Not only are hazing incidents a violation of our university policies, but they are also crimes.”
This is the third alleged hazing incident involving Sigma Pi nationally over the last few years. Meanwhile, UB has put a stop to all Greek activities until the investigation is finalized.
In a message to students and staff, UB announced that it will be launching an internal review committee to examine all Greek-letter, social and fraternal organizations.
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact University Police at (716) 645-2222.