COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nearing the end of a "deeply troubling" semester in which 11 campus fraternities were investigated for student conduct breaches involving hazing and alcohol, the Ohio State University announced Thursday it would immediately suspend all fraternity activities.
The announcement sent to Greek students reads, in part: “Our expectation is that each chapter will develop a plan and implementation timeline to ensure that the culture of their organization is aligned with the stated values of Ohio State’s Greek community, responsibilities outlined in the university’s Code of Student Conduct and expectations of their respective national or international organization.”
All fraternity activities between Thursday and Jan. 7, 2018, will need to be approved as "essential" by the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Ohio State’s student newspaper, The Lantern, reported ongoing investigations of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Sigma Alpha Mu, all of which had previously been suspended for similar violations, in October.
The paper also noted that reports of ill-fated excess -- such as the 2015 incident in which an intoxicated 19-year-old sorority member was hit by a car -- are as much a staple of local and national Greek Life as pricey, column-festooned chapter houses and pomping.
Those incidents attract scrutiny and crackdowns on Greek life all over the country. The University of Michigan suspended all Greek parties and pledge activities Nov. 10 following reports of alcohol poisoning, irresponsible drinking and sexual misconduct.
Penn State University and Louisiana State did the same after a pair of student deaths.
