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The Columba chapter of the FarmHouse International Fraternity at the University of Missouri has been closed due to hazing and alcohol violations. The fraternity is the third to be closed at the school in the past year.
According to reports, the FarmHouse International Fraternity announced that the closure of the university’s FarmHouse chapter was in response to a joint investigation the fraternity conducted with the university into allegations of hazing and alcohol violations.
The fraternity’s official press release said the fraternity “will not tolerate this kind of behavior.”
“Our top priority is to foster a culture of safety and responsibility in our chapters,” said Christian Wiggins, FarmHouse International Fraternity CEO, said in a statement released by the university. “The chapter’s actions, including failing to adhere to the national organization’s hazing and alcohol policies, were in direct contradiction to FarmHouse values and our code of conduct. We will not tolerate this kind of behavior in the fraternity, and we appreciate the university’s partnership as we have worked through the investigation and arrived at this conclusion.”
Investigation findings have been turned over to the Columbia Police Department as FarmHouse is not affiliated with university schools or colleges, a release said. Wiggins told The Star that the closing is not permanent, and that FarmHouse plans to return in fall 2020.
The closing comes after the Sigma Alpha Epsilon national headquarters announced it will close its University of Missouri chapter due to violations of health and safety standards for at least four years. Members were expected to move out of their chapter house by late last week. On March 8, the Interfraternity Council suspended new member activities for two weeks for its 29 chapters as the Office of Student Accountability and Support conducted multiple investigations of fraternities.
In response to incidents like these, fraternities such Phi Kappa Psi have made numerous changes to their code of conduct in an effort to address the issues that have arisen. In addition, schools such as Texas State have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
These reports come amidst similar allegations that have been made against fraternities nationwide, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon at East Carolina University, who were shut down for hazing and the Lamda Chi Alpha chapter at the University of Arkansas which has been accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of women without their permission.
In response to incidents like these, fraternities such Phi Kappa Psi have made numerous changes to their code of conduct in an effort to address the issues that have arisen. In addition, schools such as Texas State have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
