Huntington News

Issue date: 7/16/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey In this image, a University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey employee adjusts sheets draped over two Northeastern students. The sheets echo the traditional garb worn by the Ku Klux Klan.

Northeastern officials have withdrawn four students from a program in New Jersey, following an incident in which two of the students were dressed like members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) on July 6 by paramedics affiliated with the program.

The students alleged to university officials that they were forced by paramedics from Newark's University Hospital, which is operated by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), to dress in white sheets to echo the attire worn by KKK members, said Jim Chiavelli, interim director of communications. The students notified the officials at the College of Professional Studies, which has a partnership with the hospital. The following day, Northeastern acquired written statements from the students about the incident, he said.

According to local media reports, three University Hospital paramedics were fired after cell phone images surfaced that showed them adjusting white sheets over the students. One student was holding a cross.

"It's our understanding that [the students] were coerced," Chiavelli said. "They were clearly upset by it."

The names of the students involved were not released.

After removing the students, the College of Professional Studies immediately worked to find alternative educational placements and have offered their support to the individuals, he said.

"Northeastern University was distressed to learn that two of our EMT certificate students were coerced into such an appalling and offensive incident," said in a statement released by Philomena Mantella, senior vice president for enrollment management and student affairs.

Northeastern staff is waiting for the outcome of the investigation to decide whether or not to continue its partnership with UMDNJ, Chiavelli said. State regulators are now investigating the hospital, he said.

The partnership between Northeastern and UMDNJ has been ongoing since 2002, Chiavelli said.

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