A University of Virginia freshman was hospitalized this month after chugging a bottle of soy sauce at the Zeta Psi fraternity house, according to court documents.
The 19-year-old was pledging to join the fraternity and drank the soy sauce on a dare, according to a search warrant affidavit. Early on the morning of March 1, the pledge beganhaving seizures and foaming at the mouth.
An older fraternity member drove the pledge to the emergency room. The student had an electrolyte imbalance caused by consuming large amounts of sodium and was in critical condition at the time. He has since been released from the hospital.
Police are also investigating a strange meal that Zeta Psi pledges ate that night. The Daily Progress newspaper reported that the dish — made of dog food, matzo balls, gefilte fish and soy sauce — is a pledges-only tradition at the fraternity.
Police and university officials are now trying to determine if Zeta Psi members engaged in hazing, which is a misdemeanor in Virginia.
A university spokeswoman said in an e-mail that officials cannot comment on active investigations. If students are found guilty of hazing, they could face expulsion.
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