So, timetable works something like this, right?
Nov 2018--Collin Wiant, an 18 year-old student, dies from matters related to hazing issues. Reports surface that Wiant was forced to drink to excess, get high on nitrous oxide (whippets), and had been subjected to Xanax by the fraternity so that he could do work for upperclassmen.
Nov 2018--Sigma Pi Epsilon receives a cease and desist letter from university as an investigation begins.
April 12, 2019--Sigma PI Epsilon is permanently banned by Ohio University. News is delivered by Dean of Students, Jenny Hall-Jones. From the investigation, it was determined that the fraternity engaged in forced calisthenics, whippings, beatings, forced drug use, underage drinking, physical threats. Despite many allegations being substantiated, a number of members of the fraternity repeatedly told the board that they 'did not recall' or 'could not remember' many events related to their hazing.
October 3, 2019--Ohio University, following allegations during the next pledge season from multiple fraternities, suspends all fraternities while they investigate practices throughout Greek life. This follows allegations of hazing by seven of the 15 fraternities. The university labels the move a 'proactive step' so that the IFC can reevaluate practices and redefine the Greek community at OHIO. It is reported that the seven allegations all came within a 48 hour period prior to the cease and desist letters being disseminated.
October 4, 2019--Parents of Collin Wiant come out in praise of step by university. “For them to shut it down is the right step until they can look every parent in the eye and tell them your student is safe being a part of our Greek system,” said Collin’s mother, Kathleen Wiant.
October 9, 2019--Ohio University suspends three sororities (Delta Zeta, Phi Beta Phi, and Chi Omega) following further hazing allegations.
October 19, 2019--The university announces additional suspensions after receiving more hazing allegations. University says that it has allegations of hazing reported from nine traditional fraternities, two business fraternities, three sororities, rugby team, and marching band.
October 19, 2019--Jack Schoenig, 19 year-old student at Penn State, dies outside a house belonging to fraternity Chi Phi. University suspends fraternity and begins investigation.
October 24, 2019--Antonio Tsialas, Cornell University freshman, is found dead in a gorge. University representatives place initial blame at fraternity party held off-campus.
October 25, 2019--Three weeks later, OHIO University lifts cease and desist order for all but three fraternities, one sorority, the rugby team and the marching band. Nine other organizations within the Greek community have some restrictions tied to their reinstitution. A total of five groups originally suspended (Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Kappa Tau, and Delta Tau Delta) are reinstated without any restrictions.
October 26, 2019--Reports of original allegations are made public. These include serious allegations of: seclusion to dark area with little food and water, forced alcohol consumption, forced nudity, broken bones due to violence, forced drug use). Others appear far more benign, such as requiring early wake-ups to find out weather, forced cleaning operations, and forcing men to take off their shirts.
November 7, 2019--San Diego State University freshman Dylan Hernandez is hospitalized due to events from a Phi Gamma Delta event. He dies three days later, surrounded by family.
November 12, 2019 (yesterday)--19 year-old Washington State freshman Samuel Martinez dies from alcohol-related death inside home of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
If this is the agreed upon timeline, then the following facts are also true.
--The suspension time for many of the fraternities was no more than 21 days. Sororities saw suspensions closer to just over two weeks.
--Allegations reported involved many cases of forced drug and alcohol usage, many by underage students.
--This came only six months after the permanent suspension of an OHIO University fraternity related to forced drug and alcohol usage that led to the death of a freshman pledge.
--Over the past month, American universities have seen the deaths of at least four freshmen who were in some ways involved in fraternity activities prior to their death (
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2019/11/12/... /)
Those are the facts. It's the spin that comes from those facts that we are debating. As an OHIO University graduate and hopefully an OHIO University parent in the future, I am grateful that the actions were taken before another tragedy at OUr university. To receive seven allegations in such a short window of time (48 hours) would have me thinking of a drastic measure while I got my mind around everything. Those 21 days of suspension may prove to be a life-saver for fraternities as well as pledges. A seemingly stiff sentence was doled out (though really, it wasn't that severe in the long-run) and now fraternities are likely evaluating all of their current practices.
I am not a Greek Life hater nor did I find joy in the suspension. I am grateful for the action because I hope that this allows the IFC to think about what it is doing and hopefully make decisions that are keeping students safe from here on out.