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The Theta Chi fraternity at Ball State University in Indiana has been shut down for reportedly violating the national fraternity organization’s policy.
According to a statement from the fraternity’s national headquarters on Wednesday, October 3, the Theta Chi chapter at Ball State had their charter revoked for “confirmed violations of Theta Chi policies.” However, the statement did not offer any details that indicated what policies the fraternity violated.
Due to the shutdown, the university has withdrawn its recognition of the chapter which forces its members must find other places to live. Ball State University spokesperson Kathy Wolf said that current members who lived in the Theta Chi fraternity house will need to secure alternate housing for the remainder of the academic year.
Furthermore, Ms. Wolf said that the schools Office of Greek Life will be offering assistance to the fraternity’s members in finding other housing, including on-campus.
Theta Chi, which was chartered on January 20, 1951, was the oldest brotherhood on campus.
Current members who live in the Theta Chi house will need to secure alternate housing for the remainder of the academic year, BSU spokesperson Kathy Wolf said.
Last year, all of the school’s 13 fraternities were barred from hosting any social events after a “pattern of different types of events not consistent with Ball State’s standards.”
This is the latest major fraternity or sorority lawsuit, investigation, suspension or closure 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 in the wake of hazing and alcohol deaths.
These reports come amidst similar allegations that have been made against fraternities nationwide, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon at East Carolina University, who was shut down for hazing and the Lambda 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, West Virginia University, and Penn State University have introduced new Greek Life rules to try and prevent these problems.
