Kappa Kappa Gamma suspended after hazing incident

Michele Theodore
Wed, 22 Apr 2015 03:01:27 +0000
Area, Campus, beta nu, hazing, Kappa Kappa Gamma, ohio state, women's fraternity

Kappa Kappa Gamma has been suspended from Ohio State’s campus until 2017.

The women’s fraternity received the two-year suspension after a hazing incident that occurred earlier this year.

An investigation by the Office of Student Life found that the Beta Nu chapter violated the Code of Student Conduct and failed to comply with an earlier sanction after receiving a cease and desist letter in early March.

The national organization said “the culture within the chapter needed to be changed,” and that the safety and security of its members was of the utmost importance, according to a statement provided by Ashley Moyer, director of marketing and communication for the KKG national organization.

“This spring, a comprehensive investigation by Kappa determined that Beta Nu Chapter violated fraternity policies during an incident, including participation in hazing and inappropriate use of alcohol,” the statement read. “Further, the fraternity was both saddened and outraged to learn a new member was seriously injured during this unsanctioned event.”

A 19-year-old pledge was reportedly struck by a car near the KKG house while she was intoxicated, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

At the end of the suspension, which is set to end in May 2017, the chapter can petition Student Life to be reinstated and “would be required to state steps to ensure that they would operate in a manner (consistent) with the Code of Student Conduct, sorority and fraternity life policies, student organization guidelines, other relevant university policies and all state and federal laws,” according to an email from Student Life spokesman Dave Isaacs.

Kappa Kappa Gamma is one of 17 national sororities and women’s fraternities at OSU governed by the Panhellenic Association. The association, which is part of the Panhellenic Association Conference, consists of more than 2,000 women, according to its website.

Founded in 1870, Kappa Kappa Gamma’s headquarters are also located in Columbus, according to its website. OSU’s Beta Nu chapter was established on campus in 1888, the website said. It was the first women’s fraternity established at OSU.