Ohio State University has placed its Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter on interim suspension after a weekend incident in which people received medical care, according to university spokesperson Ben Johnson. The suspension halts all chapter activity, including new-member recruitment, while the university investigates.
Johnson described the incident as “extremely concerning,” according to 10TV, which first reported the suspension. The station also reported that a social-media video allegedly showed people being lit on fire at a party, though that detail remains an allegation and has not been independently verified. Johnson said the university referred the incident to law enforcement, 10TV reported.
What the Suspension Actually Prohibits
Per the 10TV report, the interim suspension prohibits Sigma Alpha Epsilon from participating in or holding any registered student organization activities while the investigation or conduct proceeding is pending. The chapter must also stop all new-member activity for the duration of the suspension, the station reported.
Under Ohio State's own interim-suspension policy, the vice president for student life or a designee can impose such a measure when there is reasonable cause to believe continued activity poses a significant risk of substantial harm to safety, security, or property, according to Ohio State's Office of Student Conduct. That same policy states the suspension remains in effect through the conclusion of the student conduct process, including any appeal, unless it is terminated in writing beforehand.
University Cites Its Expectations for Student Groups
Johnson said the university expects students and student organizations to uphold its commitment to a safe and healthy environment and to university values, the station's report noted. No outcome of the current investigation or conduct process has been announced.
A Chapter With a Prior Record
This is not the first time Ohio State's SAE chapter has faced disciplinary scrutiny. A 2017 Student Conduct charge document alleged the chapter's conduct that spring may have violated rules covering hazing, alcohol, drugs, and endangering behavior, including an allegation that a new member required medical attention after alcohol consumption at a social event, according to records posted by Ohio State's Office of Student Conduct. That document says the chapter accepted responsibility for the charges and was required to revise its member-education program and complete hazing training before spring 2018 recruitment. Around the same period, the chapter was also issued a cease-and-desist order from the Office of Student Life while a separate misconduct investigation proceeded, according to The Lantern.
Ohio State has used interim suspensions in other Greek-life cases tied to medical emergencies. Earlier this year, the university placed Pi Kappa Phi on interim suspension following a March 25 event that hospitalized an unnamed student, whose fraternity membership and the severity of the injury were not made clear, according to the Columbus Dispatch. In that case, the fraternity was similarly barred from registered organization activities while the investigation was ongoing, and the university notified law enforcement, according to NBC4. SAE has also previously been among six fraternities Ohio State investigated over allegations that included drugging, underage drinking, and hazing, per 10TV's earlier reporting on records obtained from the university.
Many details of this weekend's incident remain unresolved, including the exact circumstances behind the medical care people received and whether law enforcement has opened its own investigation or taken any action. Ohio State has not announced an outcome of its conduct process for Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
