12 at Princeton drink selves into hospitals

Twelve students at Princeton University were taken to a hospital after drinking too much during an initiation weekend for off-campus eating clubs that have a history of overserving alcohol.

University spokeswoman Emily Aronson said yesterday that the number of alcohol-related hospitalizations between Friday and yesterday was higher than for past initiations, but she could not say how much higher.

She also said that the university was sorting out how many of the students attended parties at off-campus eating clubs, which were holding the recruiting and initiation events they call "bickering."

One of the clubs held a toga party after a screening of the movie

National Lampoon's Animal House.

The 10 eating clubs, owned by alumni and located in a row of stately buildings just off campus, are coed social clubs at a university where fraternities and sororities are not formally recognized.

In 2007, Princeton's municipal prosecutor went after them because of underage drinking. The presidents of Cloister Inn, Tiger Inn and Cottage Club were charged with providing alcohol to minors when students needed medical attention after drinking there. Charges were dropped and the clubs have remained open.

In 1988, two students were sentenced to 30-day jail terms after an initiation weekend in which 46 students received medical treatment for drinking too much.

This school year, Princeton is implementing a plan to reduce binge drinking among students on and off campus. Aronson said a one-time increase in students who received medical help for alcohol use doesn't indicate whether the new efforts are working.

Princeton Borough Police Lt. David Dudeck said yesterday that the weekend incidents are being investigated. No charges have been filed.