Purdue News

October 7, 1998 Co-op loses recognition after hazing, alcohol violations WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University has withdrawn recognition from Rochdale (pronounced ROSH dale) Cooperative after finding that the housing unit violated university regulations and state laws regarding alcohol and hazing. The Office of the Dean of Students took action today (Wednesday, 10/7) based on findings that the cooperative coerced pledges to drink beer and deprived them of sleep. The house, at 800 Northwestern Ave., also was found to have violated university regulations by holding an open party and sponsoring two other events where alcohol was served to minors. The incidents occurred Aug. 24 to 29. "These are very serious charges, and the punishment imposed on the organization reflects that," said L. Tony Hawkins, dean of students. "Purdue will not tolerate these kinds of activities." Withdrawal of recognition is the most serious penalty Purdue can impose. It means the organization no longer exists in the eyes of the university and no longer can function as a student organization. The cooperative, currently home to 25 Purdue male students, has until Oct. 21 to appeal the decision to the Campus Appeals Board, which is made up of students, faculty and administrators. The Purdue Cooperative Housing Association, the corporation that owns the Rochdale cooperative house, also is expected to take action regarding Rochdale's status as a member house. Rochdale's residents could be asked to leave immediately or be given a grace period in which to find new housing. The corporation's board is comprised of students and staff. Pablo Malavenda, director of student activities for the Office of the Dean of Students, conducted the hearings for Rochdale. He found that the Office of the Dean of Students not only had warned Rochdale several times in recent years about hazing, but also had called the cooperative officers just days before the open party was held to make sure the officers were aware of university policy. That policy states that no alcoholic beverages may be served at a party that is an open event. An event is considered open if invitations are extended to more than three guests per house resident. All student organizations also must comply with Indiana law that prohibits them from giving alcohol to anyone under age 21. In addition to finding the violations concerning the open party, Malavenda also verified six separate instances of hazing, some of them involving alcohol. One of the most serious took place early in the morning of Friday, Aug. 28. During a party, "pledge class members were coerced to drink, were harassed verbally and had beer thrown at them and on them," Malavenda reported. "In the center of the room, active members placed a garbage can in anticipation of the inevitable vomiting due to the excessive drinking of beer." The next day the drinking continued with a "beer olympics" involving minors. Citing several recent incidents on college campuses, Malavenda added: "The courts have been clear that the consumption of alcohol at a membership activity is not voluntary consumption. It is coercive. "It also can be deadly, especially when large quantities are consumed over a very short period of time." There are 13 cooperative houses at Purdue, six for men and seven for women. These are residential houses operated by the students, who contribute four to six hours of work a week to offset part of their housing cost. This is the first time that Purdue has withdrawn recognition of a cooperative. Sources: L. Tony Hawkins, (765) 494-1747; e-mail, lthawkins@odos.purdue.edu Pablo Malavenda, (765) 494-1232; e-mail, rpmalavenda@odos.purdue.edu Writer: Jeanne Norberg (765) 494-2096; e-mail, jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Pablo Malavenda will be available to speak to reporters at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday, 11/7) in Room 112, Schleman Hall. To the Purdue News and Photos Page