1 suspended in Citadel hazing // 2 female cadets were targets

CHARLESTON, S.C. A Citadel cadet was suspended from the militarycollege Saturday because of the alleged hazing of two female cadets,and three student officers were relieved of military duties pendingan investigation.

The hazing about four weeks ago allegedly involved someonespraying cadets with a flammable liquid and setting their clothes onfire. Officials said no one was injured.

At least one male cadet was also a target of the incident, saidClifton Poole, the interim college president."With the information I have now, it appears we are talkingabout an upperclass-knob situation, not male-female gender-related,"Poole said Saturday. Knobs are freshmen, named for theirclose-cropped haircuts.Poole would not give the names of any of the cadets involved ordetails of the incident.The State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI also areinvestigating allegations of physical and verbal threats against thewomen.Four women were admitted to the state-supported military schoolwhen the college dropped its all-male policy. The change came afterthe U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar policy at Virginia MilitaryInstitute was unconstitutional.Poole said one sophomore cadet was involved, and "I thought theoffense was serious enough to suspend him from the schoolimmediately. Those charges have to do with improper behavior -hazing."That student was sent home while school officials decide whetherhe will be allowed to return.In addition, three cadet officers of Echo Company were relievedof their military commands Saturday, the school said. They wereremoved from the company, which includes three of the four women inthe school, and moved to other barracks.A day earlier, Echo Company's student commander and executiveofficer were relieved of their commands. They also remain in schoolduring the investigation.Citadel spokesman Terry Leedom said the college was not implyingthe five cadet officers were involved in hazing, but the allegedincident happened under their command.Poole said the female cadets did not report the incident, and itonly came to the college's attention after the women told anothercadet.He said he wasn't sure why they didn't go through their chain ofcommand.The four women admitted in August were Nancy Mace of GooseCreek, S.C.; Kim Messer of Clover, S.C.; Jeanie Mentavlos ofCharlotte, N.C., and Petra Lovetinska, a Czech national who lives inWashington, D.C.Attorneys who challenged the Citadel's all-male policy saidSaturday they believe the hazing was gender-driven.