2021-2022 Academic Year
Below are the reports of Cornell hazing violations that occurred during the indicated academic year. To read the details, simply click on the name of the group, team, or organization below and open the corresponding report.
Fall 2021
Description
The university received a report in spring 2021 alleging serious misconduct. Following an investigation, the Sorority and Fraternity Organization Misconduct Board found that Sigma Alpha Mu engaged in activities that constituted hazing, including the following:
- Listening to the same song, “What Does the Fox say,” for approximately 45 minutes. The Board determined this activity was meant to be humiliating, intimidating, and demeaning to the new members.
- Issuing inappropriate, humiliating, intimidating, offensive and culturally insensitive pledge names and requiring new members to respond to those names.
- Forced “line ups” or ‘interviews” of new members.
- New members were asked to bring a list of items, including inappropriate ‘gag’ items to the chapter facility. The chapter told the New Members that these items were “necessary” for initiation. “Gag Items” included condoms and inappropriate photographs.
Outcome
The Sorority and Fraternity Organization Misconduct Board found Sigma Alpha Mu responsible for violations of the Sorority & Fraternity Recognition Policy, the Spring 2021 Sorority & Fraternity Life Event and Meeting Expectations and Social Moratorium, and the Anti-Hazing Policy. Based on these findings, the chapter’s recognition has been removed for three semesters. The Sorority and Fraternity Organization Misconduct Board decision was upheld on appeal.
The national organization of Sigma Alpha Mu may begin work with the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life on a restart plan to return to campus no earlier than fall of 2022. The fraternity must apply to return using the Sorority and Fraternity Life expansion policy. In compliance with the SFL expansion policy, which includes a requirement that new chapters must have a national organization staff member on campus full-time for no less than one academic year.
Additionally, consistent with established practice, this matter was referred to the Office of the Judicial Administrator (OJA) (now the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards) to pursue individual accountability for members associated with the organization.