Overview

• Former student Rafeal Joseph filed a federal suit naming the University of Southern Mississippi, Omega Psi Phi’s Nu Eta chapter, the national fraternity, and additional defendants.
• The filing alleges hazing began in December 2022 and included intimidation, sleep and food deprivation, theft of money, and repeated beatings with a two-by-four fashioned into a paddle.
• Joseph says he was beaten during an April 16–17, 2023 “Hell Night,” then underwent emergency surgery and a blood transfusion and was treated for bruised ribs, a hematoma, posterior compartment syndrome, and rhabdomyolysis.
• The lawsuit states he spent nearly 11 days hospitalized, had to relearn how to walk, could not walk for months, and ultimately withdrew from USM.
• The suit claims university leaders were aware of prior abuse and failed to act, citing a separate fall 2022 incident that allegedly left another student with a torn ACL; Omega Psi Phi declined to comment and USM did not immediately respond.