Officials at Ohio State University have ordered all chapters of the Interfraternity Council to stop recruitment and social activities until further notice as possible violations of the Code of Student Conduct are investigated.
Last Thursday, Ohio State joined the growing list of colleges across the country that are suspending fraternities and sororities following bouts of tragedies and misconduct claims.
Most of the investigations at the Columbus school involve hazing and alcohol, reports NBC News.
Earlier this month, Florida State University and Texas State University suspended all fraternity activities following the deaths of pledges. The University of Michigan did the same last week after allegations of sexual misconduct, hazing and drug use.
Eleven of the 37 IFC chapters have been under investigation since the beginning of the school year.
“This is an unacceptably high number, and the university will not tolerate behavior that puts the health and safety of students at risk,” senior director of sorority and fraternity life at OSU said in a statement, calling the development “deeply troubling.”
The 11 fraternities under investigation are Alpha Epsilon Pi, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Chi, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Alpha Mu, Sigma Chi, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Zeta Beta Tau
Campus officials have not provided specific information on the misconduct allegations aside from saying most involve hazing and alcohol abuse, according to KSGF.
During the suspension, OSU chapters will be allowed to participate in “essential activities” only, such as board meetings or long-standing philanthropic events.
“Social activities of any kind are not essential activities, nor are they activities that include alcohol,” Lovell wrote.
A list of essential activities through January 7, 2018, must be provided to the school by each fraternity.
Columbus Police Department spokesman Sergeant Dean P. Worthington says his department has not noticed an increase in the number or severity of police calls from fraternity houses this semester, reports The New York Times.
Worthington says most calls involve “typical behavior” like underage drinking, loud music and public urination.
