Clemson University has officially suspended its Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity chapter for hazing violations, The Tiger has learned.
After being placed on interim suspension in April, the chapter has been suspended for four years for violating Clemson University’s hazing policy, Clemson Interfraternity Council acting President Hunter Stokes and Public Relations Officer Tomson Kaplan confirmed to The Tiger.
The suspension comes after Clemson’s Office of Ethical and Community Standards completed an investigation into the chapter based on a complaint received by the University. That complaint said new members of AGR were hazed with line-ups, sleep deprivation, personal servitude and “some sort of ‘chemical burn,’” as The Tiger reported in April.
Although Kaplan did not go into detail about the investigation’s results, he stated that the chapter “was guilty of the charges against them.”
Kaplan added that IFC does not condone the behavior, and it acknowledges the University’s decision.
According to University policy, “organizations under suspension are not permitted to hold any organized activities, recruit new members or participate in official university activities as an organization. These organizations must petition Clemson University for re-recognition once their suspensions have expired in order to return as a recognized student organization.”
Clemson University defines hazing actions or situations as anything negligent or reckless in nature for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in an organization. The University says hazing “can be intentional or unintentional, and can occur with or without consent.”
Some hazing examples the University provides on its website are paddling, physical or psychological shocks, forced consumption of food, water, alcohol or drug, line-ups and any form of personal servitude.
AGR now joins Delta Tau Delta and Pi Kappa Phi as IFC chapters that are on suspension, according to IFC’s website.