In a story first reported by the BG News, another fraternity has been suspended at BGSU.
According to the disciplinary letter to the fraternity from the dean of students office linked to the BG News story, Phi Gamma Delta* fraternity has been suspended and will not be eligible to apply for reinstatement until 2025.
The suspension was the result of three violations of the student code of conduct, all of which took place at an off-campus residence.
One involved serving alcohol to someone under the age of 21. One pledge reported that his date at an event that took place at “the Church House” on Oct. 13, 2021 was served an alcoholic beverage and ended up in the hospital for intoxication.
The second charged related to the fraternity’s university policy involving the serving of alcohol, that includes but is not limited to serving to someone under age.
The third involved hazing in fall 2021. Pledges were told to clean the house occupied by upperclassmen. They were also told to go into the basement of the house. They were afraid to do this because they did not know what would happen.
What ensued was a celebration involving the spraying of champagne.
“While these hazing actions did not present a substantial risk of serious physical harm, members knowingly engaged in this activity and failed to intervene to prevent or stop it, which violates the University’s the Code of Student Conduct,” stated Alex Solis, deputy chief of staff and University spokesperson at BGSU.
The information supporting the charges was provided by students involved in the incidents.
“There is zero tolerance for hazing at BGSU, and the University is grateful that students have stepped up to report this prohibited conduct to change culture. BGSU will continue partner with anyone who shares in our mission to eradicate hazing,” Solis wrote.
The letter to the fraternity from Michael Botts, assistant dean of students, explained the reasoning for the suspension.
“First, the organization has a recent history of violating the Code of Student Conduct.
Specifically, the organization is currently on Deferred Suspension status and is not in good
standing with the university after being found responsible for violations of the Code of Student Conduct stemming from an incident that occurred in spring 2021. Specifically, the organization, despite COVID-19 mitigation protocols, hosted a gathering of more than 10 people and took no steps to ensure that individuals under the age of 21 did not possess or consume alcohol. This jeopardized the health and safety of the community by disregarding university expectations and policies.
“Second, the nature of the misconduct for which the organization has been found responsible for demonstrates a reckless disregard for others. Providing alcohol to underage individuals jeopardizes the health and safety of those members and the community and speaks to the values of the organization and its members. Providing a location and atmosphere for high-risk drinking without appropriate monitoring is reckless and irresponsible, especially considering the organization’s previous conduct history whereby the organization was disciplined for misconduct involving alcohol from the incident that occurred in spring 2021.
“Finally, BGSU has zero-tolerance for hazing. This activity has absolutely no place in our community. This disregard for BGSU policies as well as a disregard for the dignity of others is inconsistent with the University’s commitment to a Community of Care.”
The chapter president agreed that the fraternity took responsibility for the violation.
*The story originally had an incorrect name of the fraternity.
