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Ohio State suspends all fraternity activity amid conduct reviews

By Sara Shayanian

Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Ohio State University has suspended all fraternity activities effective immediately -- the latest major U.S. university to do so in view of several high-profile hazing incidents.

"The university will not tolerate behavior that puts the health and safety of its students at risk," David Isaacs, the spokesman for the college's Office of Student Life, told The Lantern.

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The school said the suspension of "social, recruitment and new member activities" applies to all 37 regulated fraternities at the school.

Eleven fraternities at Ohio State are under investigation for violations of the student code of conduct. Isaacs said the majority of the incidents reviewed involved hazing or alcohol.

"The Greek community at Ohio State has a long and rich tradition of leadership, service and brotherhood/sisterhood," Ryan Lovell, Ohio State's senior director of sorority and fraternity life, said.

"However, when individual members or organizations fail to live up to the standards and values ... the entire Greek community suffers."

Lovell said in a letter to Interfraternity Council chapter presidents and their national organizations that the investigations were "deeply troubling" and in an "unacceptably high number."

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Fraternities at the university may only participate in "essential activities" until the suspension is over -- not including social or alcohol-related events. All IFC chapters at Ohio State will be required to submit a list of essential activities to school authorities.

Ohio State University joins a list of other schools that have suspended Greek activity due to hazing and student deaths -- including Texas State, Florida State and Louisiana State.

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