Northeastern officials have withdrawn four students from a program in New Jersey, following an incident in which two of the students were dressed like members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) on July 6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

"This is the first time we have ever heard of anything," he said. "This is just beyond outrageous."

According to the university's website, UMDNJ's Institute for EMS is one of the longest running and most reputable providers of quality EMS education in the country. The website said that the seven-week intensive and 12-week formats provide individuals with the fundamental education and skills required to pursue a career in pre-hospital emergency medical care.

According to local media reports, UMDNJ officials are still trying to piece together what led to the video. UMDNJ identified the three fired paramedics as Timothy Prahm, Henry Solares and Thomas Hart.

As of press time, UMDNJ did not return requests by The News for information. On the university's website, however, UMDNJ President William Owen said the institution has an aggressive zero-tolerance philosophy for wrongdoing and is committed to fostering an environment that protects and supports all of its workforce.

"As the details over this incident are clarified, I know you will agree that these actions have no place in our society and do not reflect the values of our university community," Owen said in the statement. "UMDNJ has never and will never tolerate attitudes and behaviors that discriminate against any individual or group. The actions taken by the individuals in this instance are appalling."

Northeastern condemns the offenders' conduct and supports Owen's swift and decisive response and his institution's zero-tolerance philosophy, Mantella said in Northeastern's statement.

Owen took all the correct immediate actions, Chiavelli said.

"He went to the press, called us up and apologized because we sent kids to his house and he didn't take care of them," Chiavelli said. "He is clearly personally outraged about it."

(C) 2008 The Northeastern News via UWIRE

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