TKE suspension upheld
May 24, 2001
Contact: Amy Murray (614) 292-8385
Tau Kappa Epsilon suspension upheld
Fraternity cited for hazing and other violations
COLUMBUS -- The decision to suspend Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity at The Ohio State University for one year for hazing violations has been upheld on appeal. The chapter, which was placed on suspension April 23, had appealed the decision to William H. Hall, interim vice president for student affairs. On Tuesday (5/22), Hall upheld the ruling of the Office of Student Judicial Affairs, which revoked the chapters status as a recognized student organization through the end of Spring Quarter 2002.
The local chapter of TKE was found to have violated the Code of Student Conduct by participating in hazing activities and in disorderly conduct in a university classroom. In suspending the chapter, the university also cited other recent poor behavior by the fraternity.
The university has made it absolutely clear for some time that hazing will not be tolerated in any form. It is dangerous and totally out of line with the values of this university and the values of the national organizations our Greek chapters are affiliated with, Hall said. Tau Kappa Epsilon deliberately disregarded the rules against hazing. I am hopeful that this suspension will bring about a change in attitude and that after a year TKE will rejoin Ohio States Greek community as a responsible, fully participating member.
By revoking the chapters status as a recognized student organization, Ohio State has denied TKE the use of university facilities, advisers and funds. The chapter may not participate in Interfraternity Council activities, including recruitment of new members, or in intramural sports or other university activities.
Tau Kappa Epsilons national organization has not concurred with the university sanction, believing it to be unfairly severe and has not revoked the chapters charter. Therefore, the chapter house at 234 E. 17th Ave., will remain open. The chapter had 29 members at the time of their last report, in Winter Quarter 2001, 10 of whom lived in the fraternity house.
TKE is the most recent Greek organization at Ohio State to be sanctioned for hazing. Earlier this year, Delta Chi and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternities and Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority were cited.
Hazing is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, which defines it as Doing, requiring or encouraging any act, whether or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in conjunction with initiation or continued membership or participation in any group, that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm or humiliation. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, use of alcohol, creation of excessive fatigue, and paddling, punching or kicking in any form.
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