Three Sophomores Dismissed at N.C. State For Hazing Congressman's Son, Oct. 14, 1919

From The Monroe Journal, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 1919

Three Sophomores Shipped for Hazing

Raleigh, Oct. 15—Hazing has just brought about the expulsion of three sophomore students of North Carolina state college. The incident that precipitated the “shipping” of these students was that a freshman son of Congressman R.L. Doughton, raised a “rough house” with hazers when because he refused to obey the mandate of sophomore when the latter ordered him to go for his (the sophomore’s) made Doughton put up such a fight that there was “uproar” as college authorities termed it.

The next morning, as the story goes, young Doughton, indignant, called on President Riddick expressied his opinion of the “hazing conditions” at the college, and announced that he was leaving for good that morning and would report to his father. In the meantime President Riddick and Commandant Hulvey were busy clearing up the hazing incidents, and by the time Congressman Doughton came with his son, the investigation had progressed to the point where expelling three sophomores had been determined upon. They are R. Query, Richmond, Va.; Cadet Kadis, Goldsboro; Cadet Stedman, Lancaster.

The college authorities are insistent that everything possible is being done to prevent and punish hazing and that every one guilty of hazing must leave the college. While young Doughton had left the college with no intention of returning his father brought about an adjustment whereby he resumes his studies. Adjustments of the regulations have been made that will effectively deter from further hazing of freshmen, the college authorities say.

Following President Riddick’s statement to sophomores Friday that he would consider any act forcing a freshman to do humiliating things as hazing, and that any student found guilty of such an act would be expelled, the sophomore class, as a meeting today, drew up a confession signed by class officers, stating that all members of the class had done the things for which the three men were expelled. This signed statement was sent to the college authorities.

It has come to light that what is known as a “kangaroo court” exists at the state college, which tries freshmen who violate any of the rules and regulations promulgated for the guidance of freshmen. This court is presided over, say members of the sophomore class, by some senior and other court officials come from the sophomore class.

Upon conviction of any offense freshmen may be sentenced to any act will humiliate them. Freshmen say members of the freshmen class have been given 15 licks and have been required to push a pencil across the floor or to do other things which may occur to the trial officers.

The rules and regulations for guidance of freshmen were promulgated by the sophomores and require freshmen to obey sophomores and must speak to upper classmen and must not wear vari-colored socks or clothes about the campus.