The dean of students at Rider University and four others were recently indicted over the alcohol-related death of a freshman in an alleged hazing incident, the Associated Press reported Aug. 3.

Gary DeVercelly Jr., 19, died March 30 with a blood-alcohol level of 0.426 percent, a day after drinking at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house. The fraternity was dissolved at the Trenton, N.J., school last week.

Indicted on aggravated hazing charges were Rider University dean of students Anthony Campbell, director of Greek life Ada Badgley, Adriano DiDonato, a student and house master at the fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau pledge master Dominic Olsen, and fraternity chapter president Michael J. Torney.

The case marks a rare instance where school officials have been implicated in the alcohol-related death of a student. "The standards of college life, when it relates to alcohol, need to be policed carefully," said prosecutor Joseph Bocchini, Jr.

"We find it terribly disturbing that the university and its officials were apparently directly involved in the circumstances leading to our son's death," said Gary DeVercelly Sr.

"This has been a very painful time for the university family and the university," said university spokesman Earle Rommel.. "We recognize that alcohol abuse by college students is a national challenge."