Southern University and A&M College

Hazing · Omega Psi Phi (Beta Sigma chapter)

A 20-year-old Southern University junior died in February 2025 after collapsing during an alleged off-campus Omega Psi Phi hazing ritual at a warehouse, where court documents say he was punched in the chest repeatedly. The family's attorney alleges members changed his clothes, made up a story and left him at a hospital rather than calling authorities.

Status: In December 2025 an East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicted five people: one on manslaughter and felony hazing, and others on principal to manslaughter, principal to felony hazing and obstruction of justice counts; misdemeanor hazing counts were also returned for others hazed that night. The cases are pending.

Response: Southern University expelled the Beta Sigma chapter of Omega Psi Phi from campus; the national fraternity stripped several accused members of membership.

College staff misconduct · Accused: former mathematics professor

Years of abuse: 2015

A Southern University student alleged in a 2016 lawsuit that in summer 2015 a mathematics professor commented on her looks, propositioned her over several weeks, groped her in his office and threatened to give her a D if she refused; she said she recorded him asking whether she wanted to 'cuddle for a C.'

Status: Alleged in a civil lawsuit against the professor and the university (filed June 2016), which also claims the school mishandled her complaint. The professor was suspended and fired in April 2017; he denies the allegations and sued the university in 2018 for wrongful termination. No criminal charges were reported.

Response: The university suspended and then fired the professor.