Matt Fritzie, the 18-year-old University of Kansas freshman seriously injured after diving into a shallow pool during a Phi Gamma Delta party, has been admitted to a Denver-area rehabilitation center.
The Lawrence
Journal-World reports that Fritzie was admitted to Craig Hospital, which
only takes "patients with serious spinal cord injuries or traumatic
brain injuries," on September 27. A spokesman told the Journal-World
that patients typically stay for two to three months.
Fritzie's family has yet to talk about his condition but the Journal-World reported that "Fritzie remains paralyzed from the
chest down."
The University of Kansas placed the
Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) frat on a two-year probation after determining that the the frat had violated the Code of Student Rights and
"After a thorough investigation, the evidence substantiates that members
of Phi Gamma Delta violated the university's hazing policies," Marlesa
Roney, vice provost for student success, said in a statement issued when the probation penalty was announced. "This is a
serious
violation of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and has
resulted in appropriate disciplinary action."
The
university's investigation failed to determine whether "hazing resulted
in any physical injuries."
Chris
Fellows, a former pledge at the frat, explained how the
makeshift pool was constructed to the Journal-World.
The pool was created by "lining up
sandbags in a
parking lot, putting a tarp inside, and filling it with water from a
hose." Fellows, who is 6-feet tall, said the pool was no higher than his
shoulders.
Fellows added that he didn't see Fritzie drinking,
didn't see anyone encouraging him to jump into the pool and didn't see
anything he considered to be hazing. Reports said the party continued
after Fritzie was rushed to the hospital.
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