‘Suspension Proceedings’ Begin After Photos of Citadel Cadets in White Hoods Posted Online
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — After photos surfaced on social media showing Citadel cadets in white Klan hoods and reportedly singing Christmas carols, a source close to the school said all of the members of the group have been identified.
In a statement from The Citadel’s Lt. Gen. John Rosa, the cadets “were singing Christmas carols as part of a ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’ skit. These images are not consistent with our core values of honor, duty and respect.”
Rosa goes on to identify the student in blue as an upperclassmen. Rosa said suspension proceedings had begun for the students involved, but the investigation was ongoing.
In the Facebook post, a girl was reportedly “threatened, harassed and offered money from numerous Citadel Cadets to take it offline in order to not ‘ruin their lives.'”
A person with knowledge of what’s going on and knowledge of the school’s rituals between upperclassmen and freshmen said administrators and officers are trying to assess the situation. The person also said this is in one of the barracks at The Citadel, and that based on the way the men in white hoods are standing, they are likely first year students, knows as “knobs,” and this could be considered a form of hazing.
Discussion on Yik Yak, another social media app popular among college students, shows that a mandatory meeting was called by administrators for Thursday morning.
