Jul 11, 2008 7:00 pm US/Pacific
N.J. Medical School Fires 3, Alleges 'KKK' Hazing
Images Show Trainees At Univ. Of Medicine And Dentistry Wearing White Hoods, Robes
NEWARK, N.J. (CBS) ―
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University of Medicine and Dentistry spokeswoman Terri Guess said students from Northeastern University in Boston were involved in a July 6 hazing incident.
CBS
A picture is sparking controversy after paramedics in New Jersey allegedly forced two interns to dress up in Ku Klux Klan robes and hoods during some sort of twisted hazing ritual, CBS station WCBS-TV in New York City.
Three hospital paramedics at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark are out of a job because of the bizarre initiation, a ritual that has many in Newark's black communities up in arms.
The university identified the fired paramedics as Timothy Prahm, Henry Solares and Thomas Hart. None could immediately be reached for comment Friday.
Cell phone pictures led to a university investigation.
UMDNJ spokeswoman Terri Guess said students from Northeastern University in Boston were the trainees involved in the incident, which took place on July 6.
A spokeswoman for Northeastern said two of their students who had been placed at UMDNJ to become certified paramedics had been victims of what she characterized as a hazing incident. Their names were not released.
Northeastern University issued a statement saying it had suspended all student placements with UMDNJ pending further review.
"Northeastern University was distressed to learn that two of our EMT certificate students were coerced into such an appalling and offensive incident," Philomena Mantella, senior vice president for student affairs said in a statement. "We condemn the offenders' atrocious conduct and support President Owen's swift and decisive response and his institution's zero-tolerance philosophy."
A YouTube video called "The Amazing Racist" apparently inspired the stunt. The fired paramedics reportedly downloaded it just before conducting their own little ceremony.
WCBS-TV spoke to several Newark residents and none of them seemed too pleased about the hazing incident nor the humor from the YouTube video.
"That's not a joke, that's no game," Patricia Smith said.
"That ain't funny to me. Give them the boot," Snoop Jareed added.
"That's not funny at all. I don't see nothing amusing about that. I think they shoulda got fired," Twila Bey said.
University president Dr. William Owen issued a statement, calling the fired paramedics' behavior "deeply disturbing" and "appalling."
Others suggested the men may be guilty of poor judgment.
"It could be a joke," Dewey Cuttino reasoned. "People take things too personal nowadays."
Tony Powell said joke or not, it's not politically correct.
"Amongst friends, you can probably skate by with things like that, but when you're dealing with that in society … no indeed (for it)," Powell said. "I don't consider that a joke."
President Owen said in his statement that the investigation into what happened was ongoing.
"As the details over this incident are clarified, I know you will agree that these actions have no place in our society and do not reflect the values of our University community," Owen said. "The institution has an aggressive zero-tolerance philosophy for wrongdoing and is committed to fostering an environment that protects and supports all of its workforce."
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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