Purdue News

November 24, 1998 Purdue suspends 2 cooperative houses for hazing WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University has suspended two cooperative houses after finding that both organizations hazed prospective members. Maclure Cooperative, 128 Wiggins St., a women's living unit, and Gemini Cooperative, 172 Littleton St., a men's living unit, are both under suspension through December 1999, said Pablo Malavenda, director of student organizations and activities. Malavenda said Maclure pledges were coerced into participating in a "beer olympics" on Aug. 29. Maclure pledges also were required to perform work assignments between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., contributing to sleep deprivation. Pledges also were led to believe that they could not talk about any Maclure activities with other people and that the pledges would be punished if they talked about house activities. Malavenda said Gemini pledges were lined up in formation after being awakened between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. During the lineup, the pledges were verbally harassed and required to participate in extreme physical activities. Pledges also were required to perform assignments, including stealing property from another cooperative house, that did not allow enough time for study or leisure activities. Pledges also were led to believe that they could not talk about any Gemini activities with other people and that the pledges would be punished if they talked about house activities. "It is an unfortunate coincidence that the university has had to take disciplinary action against three cooperative houses this semester," Malavenda said, referring to these cases and an earlier one in which the university withdrew recognition of the Rochdale (pronounced ROSH dale) Cooperative House because of alcohol and hazing violations. "The cooperative system is not the problem. The university is not singling out these kinds of houses for scrutiny, but we are interested in helping these organizations turn their situations around and become good citizens. "The Office of the Dean of Students will continue to work with these groups to make sure that they are on the right track and offer positive and healthy places for students to live." The Gemini and Maclure cooperatives have until Dec. 8 to appeal the decision to the Campus Appeals Board, which is made up of students, faculty and administrators. While on suspension, the Gemini and Maclure cooperatives will continue to be recognized student organizations, but they will not be organizations in good standing. They may not use university facilities, including meeting rooms, and may not participate in intramural athletics or campus activities such as Grand Prix. Members may continue to use facilities, but not on behalf of the organization. The cooperatives may not schedule any events requiring university approval. There are 12 cooperative houses at Purdue, five 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. Source: Pablo Malavenda, (765) 494-1232; e-mail, rpmalavenda@odos.purdue.edu Writer: J. Michael Willis, (765) 494-0371; e-mail, mike_willis@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page