ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 8, 1997 TAG: 9701080046
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C.
A federal judge told the U.S. Justice Department and The Citadel on Tuesday to see what can be done to tighten campus security in the wake of allegations two female cadets were hazed.
Attorneys say Kim Messer of Clover and Jeanie Mentavlos of Charlotte, N.C., were allegedly the targets of hazing that included setting their clothes on fire, being shoved with rifles and being forced to drink alcohol.
``If that's the case, until that can be investigated it seems to me we should be overly cautious,'' U.S. District Judge Weston Houck said. ``Consider the worst scenario and guard against that.'' Houck will consider the security issues when the hearing resumes today.
The women have not decided whether they will return to campus when classes resume next week.
During Tuesday's hour-long hearing, the government called Robert McDannell, a consultant and retired Army officer who worked at West Point and Texas A&M on issues relating to bringing women into the cadet corps.
He testified ``it is very difficult, if not impossible'' for The Citadel to assimilate women without outside experts' help.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 32 linesby CNB