April 20, 2005

Hazing leads to probation for 3 student organizations

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Three student organizations at Purdue have been placed on a one-year probation for physically and mentally hazing prospective members, according to the university's Office of the Dean of Students.

The organizations are Delta Tau Delta fraternity, 400 Northwestern Ave.; Sigma Nu fraternity, 1301 Tower Drive; and Chauncey Cooperative, 215 S. Chauncey Ave.

After receiving anonymous complaints, the Office of the Dean of Students launched simultaneous investigations into each organization's treatment of prospective members. Alleged hazing activities common to all three organizations were verbal abuse, sleep deprivation, excessive cleaning, a regimented schedule and minor physical abuse that included throwing water and/or food on new members.

Purdue regulations define hazing as any activity that interferes with scholastic activities, creates a substantial risk of physical harm or degrades any person.

"Had we found severe physical hazing of any type, we would not be talking about probation," said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students for student activities and organizations. "In that case, we would have suspended the organization or withdrawn its recognition, which is the ultimate disciplinary penalty for a student organization at Purdue."

Disciplinary probation means that the organizations have been put on notice that other violations of university regulations will likely result in either suspension or withdrawal of university recognition.

All three organizations will face similar sanctions, which are:

• Probationary status until May 31, 2006.

• Membership review conducted by the organizations' national headquarters and/or alumni board, with all returning members signing and abiding by an anti-hazing pledge.

• Sponsorship and attendance of a campus program that addresses the issue of hazing and officer training.

• Submission of a pledge program that has gained the approval of the organizations' national headquarters, advisers and the Office of the Dean of Students.

• Limitation of pledge programs to no more than eight weeks (56 days) in duration, or of a length set by the organizations' national headquarters and/or alumni boards in consultation with the Office of the Dean of Students.

"If the organizations do not change their culture and cease hazing activities, they will face stricter penalties," said Jason Casares, assistant dean of students for student activities and organizations. "Purdue has a zero-tolerance stance on hazing. These organizations were cooperative during our investigations, which was a mitigating circumstance."

Writer: Aaron Martin, (765) 496-3133, martinac@purdue.edu

Sources: Jason Casares, (765) 494-1231, jcasares@purdue.edu

Pablo Malavenda, (765) 494-1231, pablo@purdue.edu

Jeanne V. Norberg, Purdue News Service director, (765) 494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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