OXFORD, Ohio -- Three Miami University fraternities have been thrown off campus amid allegations of hazing.
According to The Journal News, Sigma Nu, Phi Kappa Psi and Kappa Sigma all face disciplinary action.
One fraternity was accused of ordering pledges to drink 100 beers and tallying the totals on their bodies with markers.
Another was accused of forcing new members to participate in hours long, before dawn workouts.
A student also told the university that the third fraternity served alcohol to minors and took “inappropriate photos” of the students. The fraternity’s members are accused of sharing the images via text messages.
The Journal-News report that investigations into all three fraternities were launched last spring. The university no longer recognizes the three organizations.
The first two were suspended over summer break. The national charter organization no longer recognizes the third fraternity.
University officials said they are taking a tougher stance on hazing.
The university released the following statements to students:
- In April, photos sent through SnapChat and text message noted Sigma Nu’s newest members were forced to drink 100 beers and banned from showering or shaving. The photos, obtained by the university, show pledges with tallies on their chest, according to records. The university suspended the fraternity in May, citing hazing and unregistered, alcohol-fueled parties. The fraternity was already on probation for previous violations. Sigma Nu will be suspended until May 2018 but can submit a proposal to reopen as early as next year.
- In March, Phi Kappa Psi fraternity conducted an internal review, finding that hazing had occurred within the chapter. The university suspended the fraternity in May until 2019, after receiving tips that the chapter served minors alcohol during a February party. The report states that “inappropriate pictures were taken of (redacted), without, (redacted) consents and were distributed” through group text messaging. The disciplinary board said the fraternity members participated in mental abuse, prohibited use of alcohol and disorderly conduct violations.
- Complaints said Kappa Sigma fraternity required pledges to to workout between 3:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., causing exhaustion. Interviews held in March with new members found that they were also forced to clean older members’ rooms and buy them food. The university did not suspend Kappa Sigma, but the national organization is no longer recognizing the chapter.
More than 40 fraternity and sorority groups operate chapters at the university.
For more details on this story, click here for The Journal-News.
