HOW TO REPORT HAZING
- If you've been a victim of hazing or have knowledge of hazing activity at Miami University, email FSLL@MiamiOh.edu
- Call 1-888-NOT-HAZE to anonymously report fraternity or sorority hazing and the incident will be relayed to the national organization that may be involved.
- If you're a parent of a student, visit www.hazingprevention.org to learn more about signs of hazing
Miami University officials have ended all ties with two fraternities suspended earlier for hazing violations.
The two fraternities will now face disciplinary action, university officials said Tuesday.
According to a statement released by Miami officials: “Following investigations into allegations of hazing and alcohol violations, Miami University and the national council of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity have jointly suspended the Miami University chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, and both Miami University and the national council of Phi Kappa Tau have suspended the local chapter of Phi Kappa Tau.
“Miami has no tolerance for hazing,” said Jayne Brownell, vice president for student affairs. “There is no excuse for behavior that risks the health and safety of fellow students.”
Some of the violations cited by university officials involved alcohol abuse, serving to minors and physical abuse.
A Journal-News investigation last year revealed that three fraternities were cited for numerous violations.
A third fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, was also suspended last year, but its appeals process is currently pending, a university spokesperson said.
School officials said “the national Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity notified Miami of its internal investigation earlier this semester, prompting Miami to investigate as well.
“The suspension is effective immediately and lasts until Jan. 1, 2017. All members of the chapter are reclassified to disciplinary alumni status. This preserves their membership, but precludes them from participating in Greek activities for at least four years. Additionally, the spring 2016 associate members’ bids are revoked,” according to a press release from Miami University.
As a result some fraternity members will have to move back into campus dorms.
“Miami has a sophomore residency requirement with a fraternity exemption. Because the chapter is temporarily closing, 26 sophomore members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity will move to campus for the remainder of the semester. The university’s housing and dining operations are prepared to accommodate the students through the end of the semester,” said Miami officials.
School officials said they “learned of allegations against Phi Kappa Tau from several sources.”
“The university has suspended Phi Kappa Tau from March 4, 2016, to May 15, 2019. The chapter will be eligible to submit a reorganization plan no sooner than November 1, 2018, and no current members or candidates will be permitted to be part of the reorganization,” officials said.
No sophomores were living at the Phi Kappa Tau house.
Students must be accountable to each other and to the university,” Brownell said. “We have trained more than 4,400 students to ‘Step Up’ and intervene as bystanders in situations that may pose health or safety risks. We hope this leads to more reporting, and to fewer instances of hazing in our student organizations.”
Miami is continuing to investigate and to adjudicate, when appropriate, additional reports of hazing from this term. Any sanctions, including possible chapter closures, will be updated when the judicial process has concluded for each case.
MORE: Dozen fraternities, sororities kicked out of Miami in past 5 years
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