Description

The Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life received a report that hazing involving Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. occurred in the spring semester of 2017 and the spring semester of 2018. An investigation found that Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. members (including an alumni member) had engaged in hazing of new members that included the following behaviors:

• Standing underneath a cold shower and reciting memorized information while wearing only underwear; sleeping in the wet underwear following the shower.
• Standing in a line repeating memorized information in unison, at times for multiple hours.
• Performing calisthenics (e.g., push-ups) for extended periods as a penalty for incorrectly answering questions about memorized information.
• Performing a “trust fall” in which new members were blindfolded and pushed backwards down a few stairs before being caught.
• Taking daily trips for a week to a city 2.5 hours away from campus. 
• Loss of individuality by, for example, being referred to only by labels such as “Conquistador #1.”
• “Social probation” in which new members were not allowed to use social media or socialize with friends. 
• Not being allowed to walk on grass.

Outcome

The Fraternity and Sorority Chapter Review Board found the chapter responsible for hazing, and the University withdrew Recognition of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., for a period of no less than three years. If Recognition is requested and approved pursuant to the applicable university policy or procedure in place at any point following the three-year period, the Chapter would remain on Probationary Recognition for a period of one calendar year. Such Probationary Recognition may include other specific limitations to the chapter’s recognition status as may be deemed appropriate at that time.

Description

The Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life received a report that hazing involving Delta Chi fraternity had occurred in the spring semester of 2018. An investigation found no evidence substantiating the initial report received by the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life. However, other hazing practices were brought to light, including Chapter members requiring new members to stand in formation and respond to questions, verbally chiding or requiring new members to perform push-ups or other calisthenics as punishment for incorrect answers, and forced consumption of an unsavory concoction. In addition, as part of a chapter tradition, Chapter members required new members (their “Little Brothers”) to wear costumes.

Outcome

The Sorority and Fraternity Review Board found Delta Chi responsible for violations of the Fraternity and Sorority Recognition Policy (including hazing) and Expectations for Membership. The Review Board’s findings were upheld on appeal and following a period in which the fraternity ceased activities the chapter was placed on Probationary Recognition (including social probation) for one year. 

Additionally, consistent with established practice, this matter was referred to the Office of the Judicial Administrator (OJA) to pursue individual accountability for members associated with the organization under the Campus Code of Conduct. 

Description

The Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life received a report of hazing involving Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity that occurred in Fall 2018. An investigation found that brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha had engaged in hazing of new members including the following behaviors:

• “Line ups” at which new members were asked questions. In at least once instance, chapter members verbally treated new members harshly for providing incorrect answers.
• Chapter members singled out at least one new member by requiring performance of a menial task that did not have any connection to the values or purpose of the fraternity and could be seen as demeaning.
• Chapter members required at least one new member to eat a bagel with pudding on it and yelled at him while he consumed it.
• The chapter conducted an initiation ritual in which new members wore blindfolds and were asked to remove their clothes and change into knee socks and jock straps. Some new members changed without privacy. The chapter leadership explained that alumni present condoned the practice as part of the national ritual. One alumnus was not part of the Cornell chapter and was there in a volunteer role. The national organization stated this practice was not a part of the established ritual.

Outcome

The Sorority and Fraternity Chapter Review Board found the chapter responsible for hazing. It noted that at the time of the Review Board the chapter was on Provisional Recognition for a spring 2017 hazing violation. The Review Board’s findings were upheld on appeal and recognition of Lambda Chi Alpha was withdrawn for a period of no less than one semester. Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity’s recognition was revoked effective December 20, 2018 for a period of one semester as a result of incidents determined to include hazing. Beginning May 31, 2019, the Chapter will be placed on probationary recognition status and remain on probationary recognition until December 31, 2019.

Additionally, consistent with established practice, this matter was referred to the Office of the Judicial Administrator (OJA) to pursue individual accountability for members associated with the organization under the Campus Code of Conduct. 
 

Description

The Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life received a report in Fall 2018 that hazing involving Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity had occurred in Spring 2018. At the time, the chapter was on provisional recognition status as a result of spring 2017 hazing and alcohol use violations. Following an investigation, the Sorority and Fraternity Chapter Review Board found that Sigma Phi Epsilon had engaged in significant hazing behaviors in spring 2018 including the following:

• Chapter members required new members to engage in a “name game” by forming a circle and responding to questions from a brother for over an hour. Wrong answers resulted in chiding. Notably, a previous hazing violation involving this activity occurred in Spring 2017.
• New members were paired in teams to compete in a workout competition that included activities such as wall-sits. The team in last place had to each lift 50-pound weights. When they were unable, other new members had to lift the weights in their place.
• Chapter members delivered presentations to new members on health and nutrition that featured demeaning images of women.
• As a part of the “Burning Heart” ceremony that took place at an off-campus farm and cabin owned by an alumnus, some new members were blindfolded and instructed to run towards a tree line. Others were instructed to uproot a tree and then carry it away with only their hands. One new member was instructed to wear a banana costume during this event, while other members were asked to wrap themselves in bubble wrap and roll around on the ground. Furthermore, this event was conducted after the University approved new member initiation deadline.
• During the annual “Mama Bear” initiation event, new members were required to consume a soup-like concoction consisting of hot sauce, vodka, bread, grapefruit, and other components while waiting in the chapter house gym for the chapter members to set up the event. New members were then encouraged to slide down a table covered with soap suds and then had their heads dunked in a bucket of water. Large amounts of alcohol were consumed prior to and during the event. Following Mama Bear, a new member was transported by ambulance to receive medical treatment for alcohol poisoning.

Outcome

As detailed above, the Sorority and Fraternity Chapter Review Board found Sigma Phi Epsilon responsible for hazing in violation of the Recognition Policy. In addition, the Chapter Review Board found the chapter responsible for violations of the Event Management Guidelines, Expectations for Membership and provisions of the Recognition Policy unrelated to hazing. The Review Board’s findings were upheld on appeal and recognition of Sigma Phi Epsilon was withdrawn for a period of no less than four years. If Recognition is requested and approved pursuant to the applicable university policy or procedure in place at any point following the four-year period, the Chapter would remain  on Probationary Recognition for a period of no less than two calendar years. Such Probationary Recognition may include other specific limitations to the chapter's recognition status as may be deemed appropriate at that time.

Additionally, consistent with established practice, this matter was referred to the Office of the Judicial Administrator (OJA) to pursue individual accountability for members associated with the organization under the Campus Code of Conduct.