'Animal House' Fraternity At Dartmouth Avoids Hazing, Branding Charges
HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — Authorities in New Hampshire say they've found insufficient evidence to charge a Dartmouth College fraternity accused of branding new members.
Alpha Delta, which partly inspired the 1978 movie "Animal House," lost its status as a student organization in April after a string of disciplinary violations including hazing and underage service of alcohol.
Eleven of the fraternity's 35 new members also had letters burned onto their bodies last fall, but Hanover Police Chief Charlie Dennis told The Valley News Tuesday that evidence suggests they did so of their own free will.
A college judicial committee also concluded the branding didn't amount to hazing, but cited the past violations and concern for student safety in revoking the fraternity's recognition.
The fraternity's alumni adviser said Monday he "fully expected" the police findings.
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