Male greek life is on hold for now, according to a report from Kevin Stankiewicz of The Lantern.
After high-profile fraternity deaths at LSU and Penn State this year, and 11 conduct investigations into Buckeye fraternities this semster, Ohio State made the decision Thursday to suspend all Interfraternity Council chapters from campus.
“This proactive step is being taken so that the IFC community takes a pause to reflect and create individual, actionable strategies for the future,” Ryan Lovell, the university’s senior director for sorority and fraternity life, wrote in a letter obtained by The Lantern.
“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.”
According to the report, a majority of the conduct investigations involved hazing and alcohol.
Ohio State later confirmed the report to 10TV and issued a statement:
Ohio State is suspending all social, recruitment and new member activities for Interfraternity Council (IFC) chapters effective immediately. This semester the university is investigating the most cases in recent years of possible violations of the Code of Student Conduct by IFC chapters. 11 of the 37 IFC chapters have been under investigation since the school year began. The majority of these cases involve hazing and/or alcohol. The university will not tolerate behavior that puts the health and safety of its students at risk.
Ohio State is taking this proactive step based on the significantly high number of investigations this semester, not on the nature of any specific case or cases. This action will allow the IFC community to pause to reflect and create individual, actionable strategies 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. The university looks forward to working with the IFC community to set a positive path forward.
