Ohio U. fraternity suspended for booze

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ATHENS, Ohio, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- An Ohio University fraternity chapter has been suspended by its parent organization for serving alcohol while it was on probation.

The national board of trustees of Beta Theta PI said Wednesday the suspension is indefinite, The Columbus Dispatch reported. The chapter at Ohio University in Athens was suspended for three years in the 1990s.

The Ohio university chapter is the fourth oldest in Beta Theta Pi and the oldest fraternity at the university.

"Unfortunately, after having already been in a continual, lengthy, on-again, off-again cycle of probation ... violations, we were left with little choice but to intervene in this manner," said Zac Haines, head of the fraternity's Ohio and Great Lakes region.

Chapter members admitted at a hearing Tuesday that liquor was available on Jan. 14 at a big party in the basement of the fraternity house.

The university is also likely to suspend the chapter, Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said.

Lombardi said there are 20 members living in the house. The sophomores will move into dorms and the juniors and seniors can select off-campus housing if they want.