March 2, 1994

Brutal Hazing Death Shocks Missouri Campus

Students say rituals are still common despite crackdown

By Christopher Shea

Michael Davis had tried once before to get into Kappa Alpha Psi, the fraternity at Southeast Missouri State University that he most respected.

He pledged the fraternity in 1991, but its members decided not to admit any new people that year -- apparently because the national office of Kappa Alpha Psi began investigating a tip that members were physically hazing pledges.

Mr. Davis tried again this year as a junior. Last month, the 135-pound journalism major and reporter for the