THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 17, 1996 TAG: 9604170418
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Virginia Military Institute has suspended six students for assaulting a freshman classmate who had been excused from part of the grueling ``rat line'' initiation because of medical problems.
The school also has disciplined nine other students for their roles in the attack, which occurred early Easter morning, April 7.
The 15 freshmen sneaked into the cadet's room, flipped his mattress to the floor and held him down as they tried to shave his head, school officials said Monday.
They also sprayed burning analgesic balm on his genitals. The cadet's shoulder was partly dislocated in the fray.
The cadet's arm is in a sling but otherwise he is all right and attending classes, VMI spokesman Mike Strickler said.
``The investigation showed that there was no intent to physically harm him,'' Strickler said.
Gen. Michael Bozeman, the commandant of cadets, said the attackers apparently were upset because their classmate had escaped some unsavory parts of the rat line, a freshman ritual.
The rat line, which aims to break each freshman physically and emotionally before he is reformed, is considered essential to VMI's goal of graduating ``citizen-soldiers.''
The shared, adverse experience also is credited with inspiring the uncommon loyalty many students and alumni share for the college.
Bozeman said the cadet had been on the ``gim'' - VMI's disabled list - because he had bone spurs that required an operation last semester. The school physician, not the cadet, made the decision.
Bozeman said one of the attackers has been suspended for the next two semesters, and five will be out for one semester.
Five more were given the most severe punishment short of suspension, including six months on campus without leave. Four must spend two months on post.
The student Executive Committee, consisting of the officers of each class, recommended the sentences. Bozeman and VMI Superintendent Josiah Bunting III upheld them.
``The corps essentially policed themselves,'' Bozeman said. ``I think it sends the right message, not only from the administration but from the corps, that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.''
KEYWORDS: ASSAULT VMI by CNB