A second Ohio University hearing board will review Delta Tau Delta's suspension today after the fraternity's request for an appeal.
Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi approved the five-year suspension for hazing Jan. 22 upon the recommendation of the original hearing board. The fraternity asked to appeal the decision Monday.
City and OU investigations concluded fraternity members beat pledges and forced them to drink large quantities of alcohol at a Nov. 12 initiation event. O'Bleness Memorial Hospital admitted two pledges - one with severe bruising and another with a chipped tooth and broken bones.
We want to be clear with the university that (the serious injuries) were not a result of the function that was occurring
said George McCarthy, Delta Tau Delta's lawyer.
After completing separate investigations, both OU and the city of Athens charged Delta Tau Delta with hazing. A judge fined the fraternity $2,000 on Jan. 22 after it pleaded no contest to the city's charges. The fraternity will also pay no more than $10,000 in restitution to the two pledges.
The appeal board, comprised of a student, an administrator and a faculty member, will review the fraternity's written request for an appeal. If the appeal is granted, the board will either change the sanction or order a new hearing.
We are hoping that the penalty gets mitigated McCarthy said, adding the fraternity thinks a two- to three-year suspension is more reasonable.
If the board upholds the suspension, Delta Tau Delta can appeal the decision to Vice President for Student Affairs Kent Smith, who has the final say.
Students and student organizations can only appeal a hearing board's decision for three reasons: an inappropriate sanction, the appearance of new evidence or a procedural mistake during the original hearing, according to the student code of conduct.
The suspension prevents Delta Tau Delta from recruiting any new members, hosting chapter-related events at the fraternity house and participating in social activities such as Greek Week, according to the suspension notice. The fraternity will no longer be a part of the Interfraternity Council and must remove the Greek letters from its house.
OU also requires fraternity members with fewer than 90 credit hours to move from the house into a residence hall.
Failure to comply with the terms of the suspension could result in harsher sanctions, according to the notice.
A spokesperson for the national chapter of Delta Tau Delta could not be reached for comment.
1
News
Caitlin Bowling
