Shutterstock
In November 2017, we reported that Ohio State University had suspended all fraternities due to instances of hazing and alcohol abuse. Now, in February 2018, nearly all the Ohio State University fraternities that were suspended in November have been cleared to resume recruitment events and, in many cases, social events.
The suspension of the 37 fraternities began in November after 11 chapters came under investigation earlier in the school year. One fraternity has been suspended for three years for hazing and other violations, and three other chapters were put under disciplinary probation.
Following the beginning of the 2018 Spring semester, OSU’s fraternity chapters have regained clearance to resume activities by submitting school-approved plans for conducting activities safely, including committing to hazing prevention efforts and alcohol-free recruitment.
via NBC Chicago:
School officials are pleased with the response from fraternity chapters and the plans they submitted, said Dave Isaacs, spokesman for Ohio State’s Office of Student Life. The outgoing president of the Interfraternity Council, Drew Cooper, has said student safety takes top priority.
“While culture change doesn’t occur overnight, I am hopeful that the trajectory our community is on will result in improved student safety this semester and beyond,” Cooper said in an email this week.
The suspension of fraternity activities at Ohio State occurred as a number of U.S. colleges re-examined Greek life after the deaths of several fraternity pledges last year.
This was the latest fraternity suspension in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State and Penn State have all suspended fraternities.
