twenty-something

Another proud day to be an alum. WCAX reports:

Four officers of a University of Vermont fraternity have become the first to be charged with violating Vermont's new hazing law. UVM police say the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity hazed pledges by making them dress up as gay cowboys for a party.

Monday, University police released a report detailing the findings of a month-long investigation that confirmed the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity-- also known as FIJI-- hosted a pledge party that featured gay-bashing and underage drinking.

"We issued tickets for hazing," explained UVM Police Chief Gary Margolis.

"It's a civil violation of the state of Vermont, a $1,000 fine. Those were issued to the four officers of the board of FIJI," he added.

Margolis says the investigation confirmed rumors of hazing and underage drinking at a pledge party in March at the fraternity. The Chittenden County State's Attorney declined to file criminal charges for underage drinking for a lack of evidence. But Margolis says it was his call to issue the hazing tickets, and he did so, because he believes the fraternity clearly violated Vermont's new hazing statute. (Story continues at WCAX.com)