Brotherhood says was forbidden initiation ritual that killed promise of Baruch College

A promise of 19-year-old Baruch College Pi Delta Psi Fraternity has died after suffering injuries during a so-called rite of passage.By Tracy Connor, writer, NBC NewsA national fraternity said Thursday that it is suspending some activities for every chapter after a promise of freshman at Baruch College in New York was killed during an initiation event "forbidden" weekend.Chun Hsien "Michael" Deng, a commitment for the Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, suffered "significant brain injury" on Sunday while taking part in a ritual that recruits needed to lead a band in the eyes, use a weighted bag and run a glove while they are pushed repeatedly, pushed and pulled to the ground, police said."Our early understanding is that the incident occurred in an unauthorized act that was forbidden by our Organization," said Andy Meng, National President of the fraternity, in a statement."As a result of this incident we are immediately suspend all education new members across the country until further notice."Deng, 19, had travelled from Manhattan's Baruch campus to a rented house in the Poconos with at least 20 other members of the Pi Delta Psi, which describes itself as a cultural organization Asian-American. Baruch College in Manhattan is part of the University of New York.Pocono Mountain Regional Police Harry Lewis told NBC News that promises had to go from one point to another with their eyes covered while carrying a load while others came to them.The activity is similar to the ritual hazing commonly known as "the great challenge" that have been implicated in other deaths of college students in recent years, including one at the University of Florida A & M in 2011 and a University of N.c. Lenoir - Rhyne in 2008.Once Deng was unconscious, his fraternity brothers brought it inside. Although he was unconscious, there was "a considerable delay" before they took him to the emergency room, said Lewis."Shortly after starting treatment, doctors determined Deng suffered significant brain trauma and was placed on life support," the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office said in a press release.Deng, who graduated from the elite Bronx High School of Science, died on Monday morning."It's very tragic," said Lewis.Lewis said that police are still waiting for a Toxicology report but appears alcohol was a factor in the incident. No one has been charged, but the investigation continues.Baruch College, part of the University of New York, said that the pledging event was "sanctioned" and that the school has a policy of 'zero tolerance' for the initiation."Baruch College had no knowledge of this event or rushing the fraternity a class of rookies," he said in a statement. "Pi Delta Psi has not requested permission or that were approved by Baruch on this issue.""The death of Michael is a deeply painful reminder that no individual should be put in a position where your personal safety is at risk."On its website, Pi Delta Psi says carrying "overworked accusations" seriously."The initiation is a loaded Word stigmatized within our community."It describes a practice that puts our new members in unnecessary mental and physical harm, says the site.It is the intake, or process of pledging, "has its roots in a curriculum that familiar to our members with Asian American history, contemporary social issues and models...While we maintain our ritual practices secret, our process in general is outlined and available upon request. We also maintain a document of risk management which describes practices restricted and subsequent consequences."Related:New York dies of college freshman in fraternity ritual commitment: prosecutors