THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 10, 1997 TAG: 9701100542
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C. LENGTH: 31 lines
A federal judge Thursday turned down a Justice Department request to post notices on The Citadel's campus telling cadets about their responsibility to report hazing.
U.S. District Judge C. Weston Houck, who is overseeing the admission last fall of four women to the formerly all-male state military college, met privately with families of two female Citadel cadets who were allegedly harassed and hazed last year.
At a hearing Wednesday on school security, Justice Department lawyer Michael Mauer discussed sending U.S. marshals to The Citadel, having a federal officer brief cadets about laws regarding harassment and posting notices about the importance of reporting hazing.
Houck immediately expressed skepticism about the briefings.
``You think the average FBI officer can go out and make a speech and explain that to the corps of cadets and not be laughed at?'' Houck asked. ``It's not a trivial matter to stand up and tell 2,000 young people their responsibilities under the law.''
The state and the FBI are investigating reports that cadets Kim Messer and Jeanie Mentavlos were targeted by male cadets. Both women have said they want to return when classes resume next week, but are concerned about security.
KEYWORDS: CITADEL HAZING