The decision by Circuit Court Judge William F. Rutherford lifted a
temporary injuction Friday by another judge that had blocked the expulsions.
Lawyers for the students contended that Norfolk State did not follow its
disciplinary guidelines. "We're not suggesting that all of these young
ladies are innocent," said Del. William P. Robinson Jr., D-Norfolk, who
represents five of the students. "All we're suggesting is that maybe the
university has to conduct the proceedings in accordance to the rules that
they established."
For instance, he said, the students were not allowed to see all the
evidence that the university had gathered in their case.
But Norfolk State's president, Marie V. McDemmond [A SOROR], Said Monday
that Rutherford's "decision was fair. He saw that we had given due process
to these young women. It was a very painful decision for the university
and all the women involved."
McDemmond said the students were members of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and
were involved in "several incidents of hazing," which she would not
describe, beginning in January. One led to the hospitalization of a
student in the intensive care unit in February.
Robinson said the lawyers for the students will seek another court hearing
later this week. But unless Rutherford's ruling is overturned, they will
not be allowed to take finals and those who are seniors will not be
permitted to graduate.
As of late Monday, Robinson said he was not sure whether Norfolk State
would stick to its decision to evict them by the end of the day.
Another attorney representing one of the students, Robert C. Neeley, said:
"We're just trying to get the girls due process. At critical junctures the
university changed the rules of the game. They didn't follow their own
procedures."
But Jonathan Amacker, a spokesman for the state Attorney General's Office,
which represents the university, said: "Norfolk State acted appropriately
in expelling these students. The law is clear that hazing can be grounds
for expulsion. Hazing must not be tolerated, especially hazing which
causes bodily harm to other students."
On Friday, a day after McDemmond ordered the expulsions, Circuit Corut
Judge Junius P. Fulton III heeded the pleas of the students' lawyers and
issued a temporary order blocking the suspensions. But the Attorney
General's Office sought to overturn that ruling. Rutherford heard the
attorney general's case Monday and sided with the university.
The case puts Robinson in an unusually antagonistic position toward Norfolk
State. His legislative district includes Norfolk State and he has been a
strong supporter of the university in the legislature.
"I'm wearing my other hat," he said. "But in a sense I'm supporting the
university if they are proceeding against the students improperly. They
need to understand that and take corrective action."
Said McDemmond: "He's still a great friend of the university's."
Norfolk - A judge Monday unheld Norfolk State University's expulsion last
week of nine students for a sorority hazing incident that left another
student hospitalized in an intensive care unit.
