Delta Phi, Cornell chapter, Interfraternity Council
Date(s) of Alleged Incident: January 28, 2024-March 6, 2024
Date of Initiation of Investigation: March 6, 2024
Date of Ending of Investigation with Finding: April 17, 2025
Date Outcome Was Provided to Organization: April 17, 2025

Description

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) received a report in the spring 2024 academic semester alleging hazing behavior by Delta Phi, Cornell chapter. OSCCS imposed a temporary suspension pending resolution of the underlying case.

A Formal Complaint was initiated, and an investigation was completed. The Formal Complaint was referred to the University Hearing Panel for resolution. The University Hearing Panel determined, which was upheld on appeal by the Review Panel that Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter engaged in activities that constituted 1) Hazing, 2) Alcohol Related Behavior, 3) Failure to Comply, and 4) Misconduct Related to Student Organizations as defined by the Student Code of Conduct. These behaviors included the following:

• Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter provided alcohol to new members under the legal drinking age of 21.
• At least one member of Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter’s leadership violated the terms of a No Contact Directive by communicating with new members.
• Hazing where Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter engaged in the following behaviors:
  • A case race between new members and current members where several new members ended up vomiting
  • New members were zip tied to their dates and told to finish a bottle of champagne
  • New members received a snapchat message from the leadership telling them to engage in sexual activity, record it, and send a video
  • At least one new member had to complete a chore for a current member and another new member had to choke a current member to obtain a signature from current members
  • The new member who was wearing the least amount of clothing from a separate activity were driven to North Campus and told to walk back to Delta Phi Cornell Chapter’s house wearing the extra clothing that the other new members brought;
• Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter engaged in prohibited conduct as defined under the Code, including hazing, alcohol-related behavior, failure to comply with University policies and regulations governing their conduct and that breach their formal agreements with the University for registration and recognition.

Outcome

After all appeal processes were exhausted, the following sanctions were imposed:

• Suspension
  • Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter is suspended from Cornell University for five years. Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter may seek permission to return after this period of time in accordance with Sorority and Fraternity Life procedures.
• Deferred Dismissal
  • Upon return from its five year suspension, Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter will be on deferred dismissal for three years. During the deferred dismissal period, if Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter is determined to be responsible for violating the Student Code of Conduct, Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter will be dismissed.
• Educational Workshops
  • Upon return from its suspension, and during the deferred dismissal period, the new leadership of Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter, in addition to the training required of all fraternities and registered student organizations, all brothers, and new members must attend hazing and alcohol prevention programming, including how to identify and report misconduct.
• Planning Document
  • During the deferred dismissal period, the new leadership of Delta Phi, Cornell Chapter is required to work collaboratively with OSCCS and SFL and its entire brotherhood to develop an annual planning document to include activities planned for the new member process from recruitment to initiation, including a detailed outcome of event coordination.

Alpha Sigma Phi, Iota Chapter Interfraternity Council
Date(s) of Alleged Incident: February 6, 2025
Date of Initiation of Investigation: February 11, 2025
Date of Ending of Investigation with Finding: April 4, 2025
Date Outcome Was Provided to Organization: April 4, 2025

Description

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) received a report in the spring 2025 academic semester alleging hazing behavior by Alpha Sigma Phi, Iota Chapter. OSCCS imposed a temporary suspension pending resolution of the underlying case.

A Formal Complaint was initiated, and an investigation was completed. The Formal Complaint was resolved via Alternate Resolution. OSCCS and Alpha Sigma Phi, Iota Chapter agreed via the Alternate Resolution process that Alpha Sigma Phi, Iota Chapter engaged in activities that constituted 1) Hazing, 2) Alcohol Related Behavior, and 3) Misconduct Related to Student Organizations as defined by the Student Code of Conduct. These behaviors included the following:

• Engaged in an activity called “The Great American Challenge,” where brothers were split into teams to race to finish a pizza, a pack of beer, and complete a puzzle. New members were invited to participate. Some new members participated and consumed alcohol during the activity.
• During a ritual, new members were taken down stairs while blindfolded causing a safety issue. Additionally, pots and pans were banged loudly and at least one new member had an unknown liquid spilled on them–neither of which are a part of Alpha Sigma Phi ritual.

Outcome

The Complainant and Alpha Sigma Phi, Iota Chapter agreed to the following outcomes:

• Disciplinary Probation: The probationary period is effective immediately and will remain in effect through the Fall 2025 semester. Maintaining acceptable probationary status includes complying fully and timely with all requirements and restrictions outlined and refraining from future Code violations.
• Brotherhood Event Review: Chapter leadership will review brotherhood events and brainstorm a calendar of events which promote brotherhood events which align with Alpha Sigma Phi, Iota Chapter, and Cornell University’s policies and expectations. This review of events will also delineate events where new members are permitted to attend during the new member education process.
• Spring E-Board Retreat: The e-board will participate in a leadership retreat to receive leadership training and equip leaders with skills and tools to address concerns and issues in the chapter.
• Responsible Sig Workshop: The chapter will work with Alpha Sigma Phi Headquarters to complete a Responsible Sig Workshop with focus on risk management, expectations of members, and recognizing and responding to hazing. 

Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Multicultural Greek & Fraternal Council
Date(s) of Alleged Incident: February 10, 2025-February 21, 2025
Date of Initiation of Investigation: February 21, 2025
Date of Ending of Investigation with Finding: April 24, 2025
Date Outcome Was Provided to Organization: April 24, 2025

Description

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) received a report in the spring 2025 academic semester alleging hazing behavior by Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter. OSCCS imposed a temporary suspension pending resolution of the underlying case.

A Formal Complaint was initiated, and an investigation was completed. The Formal Complaint was resolved via Alternate Resolution. The Complainant and Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter agreed via the Alternate Resolution process that Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter engaged in activities that constituted 1) Hazing, 2) Failure to comply and 3) Misconduct Related to Student Organizations or Groups as defined by the Student Code of Conduct. These behaviors included the following:

• Required members of the current pledge class to sleep together at the Latino Living Center including prohibiting pledge class members to sleep in their own rooms;
• Provided assigned detailed schedules to pledge sisters, including but not limited to requiring them to wake up before 7:00am and requiring pledge sisters to text current sisters as proof;
• Required pledge class members to participate in a “kidnapping,” where pledge sisters were required to respond promptly to text messages, including requiring pledge sisters being taken to unknown locations on short notice
• Began, led and facilitated a new member recruitment process prior to the approved start date of February 21, 2025

Outcome

The Complainant and Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter agreed to the following outcomes:

• Deferred Suspension. The deferred suspension period is effective immediately and will remain in effect through December 31, 2026.
  • During the deferred suspension period, if Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter is determined to be responsible for violating the hazing provision of the Student Code of Conduct, Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter will be subject to a three-year suspension.
  • During the deferred suspension period, if Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter is determined to be responsible for violating any other provision of the Student Code of Conduct, Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter will be subject to a two-year suspension. This includes failing to comply fully and timely with the terms of this agreement.
• Required Education and Training Before Resuming Intake.
  • Policy Review: Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter will hold a required meeting for all its members with representatives from SFL, OSCCS, its national headquarters, and its advisor to review all relevant policies impacting Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter operations.
  • Healthy Group Dynamics and Hazing Prevention Training: All members of Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota chapter are required to complete healthy group dynamics and hazing prevention training to be facilitated by OSCCS. If the chapter takes a line in the fall 2026 semester, all students in the fall 2026 line are required to complete the above two educational workshops before the start of the spring 2027 semester.
• Initiation for Spring 2025 Line. Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter will promptly arrange for initiation for the spring 2025 line. A member of Sigma Lambda Upsilon Headquarters staff or volunteer must be present for initiation to provide proper supervision; the individual supervising initiation cannot be any of the associated volunteers and/or deans who were involved in the new member education process for the spring 2025 semester. Initiation must occur at an on-campus location, but must conclude by 8:00pm on the chosen date, and must occur before May 6, 2025. Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter will coordinate with SFL and OSCCS regarding the date, time, and location of initiation, including confirming who will be present for supervision.
• Compliance Review of Intake and Recruitment Process. Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter will review and make necessary changes to its national intake process such that it is in compliance with all Cornell policies, including but not limited to Cornell's hazing definition as well as the requirements of the Stop Campus Hazing Act. If the National policy conflicts with either Cornell’s hazing definition OR the requirements of the Stop Campus Hazing Act, the chapter will coordinate with SFL and Sigma Lambda Upsilon to obtain a waiver to that component of the policy. An updated intake and recruitment process description must be submitted by the Respondent by June 1, 2026.
• Privilege Restrictions.
  • Presentation of spring 2025 line. Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter is prohibited from participating in any in-person presentation of the spring 2025 line. If Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter wishes to announce the spring 2025 line via social media, they must coordinate and receive prior approval from OSCCS and SFL.
  • Hosting events. Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter is prohibited from hosting or co-hosting any events for the remainder of the spring 2025 semester.
  • Recruitment. Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter is prohibited from recruiting a line for the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters. Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter is eligible to resume recruitment in the fall 2026 semester, so long as all sanctions are complete. During the spring 2026 semester, Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Iota Chapter is permitted to have Informal Teas to begin building relationships with potential prospective sisters.

Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Chi Chapter Interfraternity Council
Date(s) of Alleged Incident: February 25, 2025
Date of Initiation of Investigation: February 28, 2025
Date of Ending of Investigation with Finding: June 26, 2025
Date Outcome Was Provided to Organization: June 26, 2025

Description

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) received a report in the Spring 2025 academic semester alleging hazing behavior by Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Chi Chapter. OSCCS imposed a temporary suspension pending resolution of the underlying case.

A Formal Complaint was initiated, and an investigation was completed. The Formal Complaint was resolved via Alternate Resolution. The Complainant and Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Chi Chapter agreed via the Alternate Resolution process that Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Chi Chapter engaged in activities that constituted 1) Assault and Endangerment, 2) Collusion or Complicity, 3) Hazing, 4) Misconduct Related to Student Organizations or Groups, and 5) Unauthorized Entry or Use or Space, as defined by the Student Code of Conduct. These behaviors included the following:

• During the new member education process, multiple new members were driven to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology after dusk when both the trails and lab were closed.
• New members were told to leave their mobile phones at the chapter house during this event.
• New members were told to enter the nearby woods and locate a time capsule. The time capsule did not exist.
• New members were left at this location without transportation back to campus or the chapter house.
• New members approached a private residence to obtain a flashlight, at which time property owners contacted the police.

Outcome

Complainant and Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Chi Chapter agreed to the following educational outcomes:

• Deferred suspension The deferred suspension period is effective immediately and will remain in effect through December 31, 2025. During the deferred suspension period, if Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Chi Chapter violates the Student Code of Conduct, an automatic three-year suspension will be imposed.
• Recruitment restriction:
  • Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Chi Chapter is prohibited from participating in recruitment activities until the following educational requirements and reviews are complete.
• Education Trainings
  • The entire chapter will complete the following trainings no later than Fall 2025:
    • Complete Hazing Awareness training.
    • Participate in a facilitated dialogue to discuss a culture of care in the chapter and in the new member education process.
• Policy Review
  • Chapter leadership will work with SFL to review and update the following by Fall 2025:
    • Chapter accountability process with particular emphasis on clear expectations regarding specified positions and/or members that engage with the New Member process.
    • New Member Education Plan including how to strengthen the plan.
    • Develop a plan for sharing expectations of any brother who engaged with New Member Education and a clear outline of consequences for brothers that cannot follow outlined expectations.
• Compliance with Headquarters: The chapter will comply with any outcomes and expectations imposed by Delta Kappa Epsilon International Headquarters as a result of this incident.

Kappa Kappa Gamma Psi Deuteron Chapter, Panhellenic Council chapter
Date(s) of Alleged Incident: February 21, 2025
Date of Initiation of Investigation: February 28, 2025
Date of Ending of Investigation with Finding: March 11, 2025
Date Outcome Was Provided to Organization: March 11, 2025

Description

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) received a report in the Spring 2025 academic semester alleging hazing behavior by Kappa Kappa Gamma, Psi Deuteron Chapter. OSCCS imposed interim action pausing the chapter’s new member education process, including any initiation activities.

The report was resolved via Alternative Dispute Resolution. Kappa Kappa Gamma, Psi Deuteron Chapter accepted responsibility for engaging in activities that constituted 1) Hazing and 2) Misconduct Related to Student Organizations or Groups, as defined by the Student Code of Conduct. These behaviors included the following:

• During the new member education process, a new member was observed wearing clothing they typically do not wear, leading to concern from university staff. Additionally, a new member informed university staff they were told to walk into a lecture and pretend to be confused about where they sit. 

Outcome

The Complainant and Kappa Kappa Gamma, Psi Deuteron Chapter agreed to the following educational outcomes:

• Chapter Coach Meetings
  • The Chapter President will meet with SFL Chapter coach and Headquarters liaison to review chapter traditions and make changes to these traditions as needed.
• Educational Training
  • Active chapter members are required to participate in Intervene training organized by Sorority & Fraternity Life.
  • Active chapter members will complete hazing prevention educational modules through Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Minerva Online Learning program. A portion of the modules will be completed individually and a portion completed as a group.

During the Fall 2025 semester, the chapter will complete the Power From Within (Human Dignity) training from Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Courage to Commit harm-prevention series.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon, NY Alpha Chapter, Interfraternity Council
Date(s) of Alleged Incident: March 13, 2025
Date of Initiation of Investigation: March 25, 2025
Date of Ending of Investigation with Finding: August 29, 2025
Date Outcome Was Provided to Organization: August 29, 2025

Description

On or about March 18, 2025, the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) received a report alleging Sigma Alpha Epsilon, New York Alpha Chapter engaged in misconduct. OSCCS imposed a temporary suspension pending resolution of the underlying case.

A Formal Complaint was initiated, and an investigation was conducted. The Formal Complaint was resolved via Alternate Resolution. The Complainant and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, New York Alpha Chapter agreed via the Alternate Resolution process that Sigma Alpha Epsilon, New York Alpha Chapter engaged in behaviors that violated the following policies of the Student Code of Conduct: K. Hazing and M. Misconduct Related to Student Organizations. These behaviors included the following:

• Engaging in a “line up” activity in which participants were shirtless and had liquid thrown on them by other members.
• Participants engaged in the lineup activity yelled “yes sir” multiple times.
• Participants were yelled at aggressively by other members while engaged in the lineup activity

Outcomes

The Complainant and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, New York Alpha Chapter agreed to the following outcomes:

• Disciplinary Probation: The probationary period is effective immediately and will remain in effect through the Spring 2026, semester. Maintaining acceptable probationary status includes complying fully and timely with all requirements and restrictions outlined and refraining from future Code violations.
• Creation of Mentorship Chair: The chapter will create an elected position that will focus on positive bonding practices and long-term culture change. This officer will coordinate initiatives designed to build meaningful cross-class connections, including resume workshops attended by Big-Little pairs, regular accountability check-ins focused on academics, mental health, and personal goals, and participation in professional events as a pair. The program will also include a “shared challenge,” where pairs commit to taking on a new skill or experience together, and will conclude each year with a “legacy letter,” where each big reflects on their little’s growth and development. Drawing on SAE National materials and external best practices, the Mentorship Chair will ensure that bonding is safe, intentional, and sustainable.
• StopHazing.org Workshops: The chapter will facilitate the following workshops:
  • We Don’t Haze
  • Making Space for Leaders to Lead Change
• National Hazing Prevention Week: The chapter will host and fund a guest speaker, Lianne Kowiak, a nationally recognized facilitator on bystander prevention and culture change as part of the Fall 2025 observance of National Hazing Prevention Week.
• Recruitment: In order to participate in recruitment, the chapter will complete the following requirements
  • Hazing Prevention Training: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, New York Alpha chapter must complete a hazing education workshop that focuses on the spectrum of hazing.
  • SFL Policy and Procedure Review: The chapter executive board will work with SFL to review and update the following by the end of the Fall 2025 semester:
    • Review and update member onboarding plan to be in compliance with Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity expectations.
    • Review and update the chapter accountability process with particular emphasis on clear expectations for specified positions responsible for member onboarding and/or members that engage with the member onboarding process (ex: big/little reveals)
    • Develop a plan for sharing expectations of any brother who engages with member onboarding and a clear outline of consequences for brothers that cannot follow outlined expectations. This plan should address both the topic of impulse control and group think.
  • Compliance with Headquarters: The Chapter will comply with any outcomes and expectations imposed by Sigma Alpha Epsilon National Fraternity.