A fraternity under fire after the death of its pledge member has been expelled from Ohio University. A university release sent Tuesday stated “hazing and other violations of the Student Code of Conduct” as reasons for the expulsion.
“Through the administrative investigation, the University received reports of hazing activity by members of the Sigma Pi fraternity (Epsilon Chapter),” the release stated. “As a result, the Sigma Pi fraternity (Epsilon Chapter) was charged with eleven violations of the Student Code of Conduct.”
The fraternity was under investigation after one of its pledge members died at 45 Mill Street in Athens, which was called the unofficial annex site for the fraternity. A lawsuit has since been filed by Collin Wiant’s family, claiming the fraternity for which the student was pledging engaged in hazing practices and neglected to care for him.
The charges for which the fraternity was found to be in violation included four hazing charges under different categories – endangerment, brutality, coerced consumption and coerced activities; damage to property; two alcoholic beverages violations; controlled substance and/or drug violation; and two for harmful behavior.
A university hearing board ruled on the violations during meetings on April 10 and April 11, according to a letter sent to the fraternity by Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones.
The expulsion was effective April 11.
The fraternity attempted to appeal the sanctions against them, but a letter from the Division of Student Affairs on April 18 denied their appeal. Another letter petitioning for Vice Presidential appeal was denied April 23 by Vice President for Student Affairs Jason Pina.
