November 3, 2005

Two Purdue cooperative houses on probation for hazing

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue officials today (Thursday, Nov. 3) announced that two cooperative houses have been placed on probation for violating the university's hazing regulations.

In unrelated incidents, Gemini Cooperative, 172 Littleton St., and Twin Pines Cooperative, 322 Waldron St., were placed on probation after an investigation into allegations of hazing by the groups' members.

Gemini, a men's house, was found to have subjected new members to various forms of psychological and verbal abuse, such as throwing items like water balloons and beer at them. These incidents occurred Sept. 12-15, according to Office of the Dean of Students documents. Due to this incident and similar incidents in the house's recent past, the cooperative has been placed on probation through Dec. 15, 2007.

Twin Pines, a women's house, was determined to have subjected new members to psychological and mental abuse in the form of having pledge class members walk across campus in shower robes, towels or other shower-related attire on Sept. 12, according to the Office of the Dean of Students. Twin Pines has been placed on probation through this Dec. 2. Twin Pines has no previous violations.

The findings and disciplinary actions are not subject to appeal, said Jason Casares, assistant dean of students.

"Because some of the hazing activities were institutionalized with the entire house knowing about them, the house must accept responsibility for the failure to control all its members," Casares said. "We hope the recent incidents will provide a learning opportunity for these organizations, and they will go on to become responsible members of the Purdue community."

Purdue's 12 cooperative houses are student-run independent living groups that are affiliated with the university and are bound by the same university rules that govern fraternities and sororities. Each student living in a cooperative contributes four to six hours of work per week to offset part of their housing costs.

"Purdue takes hazing violations very seriously, resulting in the decision to place these organizations on probation," said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students. "Both cooperatives have been given stipulations to their probationary periods. If the organizations fail to comply with established rules in the future, this most likely will result in stricter sanctions, such as probation with additional punitive stipulations, suspension or withdrawal of recognition."

Stipulations for Gemini Cooperative's probation require a membership review conducted by the Office of the Dean of Students and the Gemini adviser prior to new housing contracts being completed; a $1,000 contribution to the Purdue Cooperative Council to fund a new-member orientation and a speaker on hazing; no social activities at the house; at least two pre-approved community service projects each semester to be attended by at least 70 percent of house members; 80 percent attendance at the Indiana Greek Leadership Conference in 2006; 100 percent attendance at any hazing, new membership or alcohol meeting put together by Purdue Cooperative Council; 100 percent attendance at Grand Prix Convocation and Community Standards Panel; sponsorship of a Grand Alternative Event; submission of a new membership development program; new member programs during the probationary period of no more than seven weeks; Gemini president, risk manager and new membership/pledge chair must attend Student Leaders Retreat; any incoming or returning sophomore in the house should be nominated to the EMV Sophomore Leadership Conference and attend; and development of a leadership retreat for house members. At the conclusion of the probationary period, Gemini must petition to the Office of the Dean of Students to be placed in good standing with the university.

Stipulations for Twin Pines Cooperatives' probation includes a new membership/pledge program review conducted by the Office of the Dean of Students, Twin Pines executive officers and the Twin Pines adviser; no social activities held at the house (members-only events permitted); at least one community service project conducted by the house where 75 percent attendance is mandatory; and a new membership development program.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: L. Tony Hawkins, dean of students, (765) 494-1239

Pablo Malavenda, (765) 494-1232, pablo@purdue.edu

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

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

To the News Service home page