Editor's Note: This article has been corrected from its original version. Ohio University has not suspended the fraternity; a judicial hearing board has recommended the fraternity be suspended for five years. The Post regrets the error.
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A hearing board recommended Friday that Ohio University suspend a fraternity accused of hazing its pledges.
Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi must now decide whether to eject Delta Tau Delta from campus for five years.
OU began investigating the fraternity in November after two pledges were hospitalized. Reports from both OU and the city indicated that pledges were blindfolded, forced to drink large quantities of alcohol and repeatedly slapped around at a Nov. 12 fraternity event. Pledges told police they were told they would not get into the fraternity if they refused drinks or beatings.
The fraternity can appeal the decision twice. If Delta Tau Delta chooses to appeal, a different judicial board will hear the case. Kent Smith, vice president for Student Affairs, decides all final appeals.
After five years, all current members should have graduated and the organization can start anew, said Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi.
OU will continue to investigate each member's role in the incident and could punish individuals, Lombardi said.
In November, Delta Tau Delta's national chapter temporarily suspended operations in Athens, forbidding local brothers from hosting social events, recruiting prospective members and educating new members about the fraternity. A spokesman for the national chapter has said that any additional punishment would depend on OU's ruling. The national chapter could expel members from the fraternity house.
I don't think (the national chapter) will make any final decision until after the appeals
Lombardi said.
In May 2008, the fraternity paid Columbus-based construction firm Gutknecht Construction about $2 million to make its house handicap accessible and compliant with city housing codes.
Delta Tau Delta must still face similar, but separate hazing charges from the city.
The fraternity pleaded not guilty Nov. 23 and will have a pretrial hearing Jan. 21.
Hazing is a fourth-degree misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum 30 days in jail and a fine of $2,000 for organizations.
Reports from OU and Athens police shed some light on the events of Nov. 12.
Southeastern Ohio Emergency Medical Services responded to a call at Jefferson Hall and transported Michael Pristera, a freshman studying marketing, to O'Bleness Memorial Hospital.
Pristera, 18, of Prospect, Ky., sustained multiple injuries including broken bones, a swollen and bloody face, a chipped tooth and handprints on his chest, back and sides.
Pristera was unconscious when the ambulance arrived. He later told police that he did not want to get his friends in trouble.
He did not want to lose his friends or the Delt house so he didn't want to say anything according to the report. Pristera was discharged from O'Bleness Nov. 13.
Thomas Rotar, 18, of Chardon, Ohio, entered O'Bleness around 2:30 a.m. and said he was also assaulted at the fraternity. Rotar, a freshman who hasn't declared a major, had visible injuries from being slapped multiple times.
Rotar was accompanied to O'Bleness by fellow pledge Greg Tropf, whose injuries are unknown. Rotar was asked to write out a statement and before he answered
looked over to Tropf. Tropf shook his head no
according to the report.
Attempts to contact fraternity President Paul Kolbe, the national chapter and Rotar were unsuccessful. Pristera refused to comment.
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Caitlin Bowling
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People enter the Delta Tau Delta fraternity Jan. 3. University judiciaries found the fraternity guilty of hazing Friday. (Zach Nelson | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
