OSWEGO – A student at SUNY Oswego is suing the state over injuries from a hazing incident at a fraternity house last year.

Liam McDonald was pledging on Oct. 8 in the Sigma Gamma fraternity when he was hazed, resulting in a ruptured spleen and internal bleeding from injuries to his chest and abdomen. There is no information as to what activity McDonald was doing to cause the injury.

The lawsuit accuses the state of negligence, since SUNY Oswego had approved Sigma Gamma, located at 110 W. Bridge St., as a registered fraternity. The lawsuit states that the college “assisted Sigma Gamma with issues related to recruitment activities, new member activites, risk management, and conduct.”

Both McDonald and his lawyer, William Ryan of Albany, gave no public comment, and McDonald’s mother, Judith McDonald, said her son’s lawyer told her to not publically discuss the case. On the other side, spokeswoman Julie Blissert said that SUNY Oswego officials don’t make comments on matters of lawsuits.

SUNY Oswego holds training sessions with the sole purpose to help recognize hazing, how to respond as a bystander or a victim, and how to create bonding activities that wouldn’t be considered hazing. Any hazing allegations that are reported to the college are investigated by SUNY Oswego’s police and through the disciplinary system.

On November 7th, on a Wednesday, Oswego Theatre Department premieres their play “Shape of Things” originally written by Neil Labute.

Students in all years participate in this production and it is all prepared for the showing of the new show. Students such as Cassandra Slough and Adam Sommer took on the lead roles of this play.

Mya Brown, Director of the play and Assistant professor of theater tells her experience directing and the significance of the play. “There are some special messages within the play I would the audience to reflect on those things, what they think there are, so I don’t want to give anything away but I think the audience will definitely be challenged in their perspective of what beauty is, what art is, and how far in creating art.” She said. “I love to direct and it was amazing working with the other cast/staff members.” She also said.

Shelby Gilbert, one of the assistant director of the play also commented about the production. “It’s a great show. It is. This cast has worked so hard on this show. They have really put their all into the show and done some amazing work and I feel like everybody can learn a little something from the show and they can relate to different parts of the show.” She said.

Based on the story of Neil Labute, it emphasizes on the topic of relationships, identity, choices, and morals. With the main characters, Evelyn (Cassandra) and Adam (Adam), they both will play out the theme of the play.

“You should come see it!!”- Mya Brown

The play extends from November 7th to November 11th at Waterman.

For more theatre plays, you may visit https://www.oswego.edu/theatre/theatre-0