ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 15, 1996 TAG: 9612160085
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C.
SOURCE: Associated Press
A Citadel cadet was suspended from the military college Saturday because of the alleged hazing of two female cadets, and three student officers were relieved of military duties pending an investigation.
The hazing incident about four weeks ago allegedly involved someone spraying cadets with a flammable liquid and setting their clothes on fire. Officials said no one was injured.
At least one male cadet was also a target of the incident, said Clifton Poole, the interim college president.
``With the information I have now, it appears we are talking about an upperclass-knob situation, not male-female gender-related,'' Poole said Saturday. Knobs are freshmen, named for their close-cropped hair cuts.
Poole would not give the names of any of the cadets involved or details of the incident.
The State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI also are investigating allegations of physical and verbal threats against the women.
Four women were admitted to the state-supported military school when the college dropped its all-male policy. The change came after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar policy at Virginia Military Institute was unconstitutional.
Poole said one sophomore cadet was directly involved in the hazing and ``I thought the offense was serious enough to suspend him from the school immediately. Those charges have to do with improper behavior - hazing.''
That student was sent home while school officials decide whether he will be allowed to return.
In addition, three cadet officers of Echo Company, which includes three of the four women, were relieved of their military commands Saturday, the school said. They were removed from the company and moved to barracks apart from the women.
A day earlier, Echo Company's student commander and executive officer were relieved of their commands. They also remain in school while the investigation continues.
Citadel spokesman Terry Leedom said the college was not implying the five cadet officers were involved in hazing, but they were affected since the incident allegedly happened under their command.
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