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A University of Toledo student is suing the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority and the university for $25,000 for injuries she said resulted from a hazing incident last March.
Along with the sorority, two members of the UT chapter are named in the lawsuit: Angelia Brown, president of the sorority, and Lydia Thomas.
Jonetta Reed, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, alleged Brown and Thomas possessed "a wooden paddle instrument," according to the lawsuit, which was filed March 1 in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas in Toledo, Ohio.
The lawsuit also says while initiating Reed into the sorority last March, "Brown and Thomas repeatedly struck Reed on the buttocks and thighs."
Brown and Thomas could not be reached for comment.
Other charges in the lawsuit say Brown and Thomas forced Reed to stay awake for long hours, to do maid service and other errands and continually yelled "vulgar and demeaning things at her."
The lawsuit says Reed suffered bruises and internal bleeding "as a result of Defendants Brown and Thomas," and "sought emergency medical attention for her injuries."
Lori Edgeworth, director of student judicial affairs and Greek Life, told The Blade that Reed didn't file a complaint with her office.
The lawsuit alleges that UT and the national Pan-Hellenic Council "did not actively enforce an anti-hazing policy on campus."
Reed also alleged "when the abuse was reported to local and national sorority, officials constituted an act of gross negligence that showed a reckless disregard for the rights and safety of others."
The UT student handbook defines hazing as "the performing of an act or insisting that another perform an act for initiation which may cause or create an unnecessary risk to physical or mental health."
This includes "preventing an initiate from having at least six hours sleep in any 24-hour period, branding, paddling, causing excess fatigue, mental or physical, expecting participation in any activity in which full members will not participate or acts which would cause discomfort, pain [or] fright," the handbook says.
Reed's lawyer, Matthew Fech, could not be reached for comment.
Tobin Klinger, director of university communications said it is inappropriate for UT officials to comment on pending litigation.
Student sues UT, sorority for $25,000 - Independent Collegian - News
