Miami University frat suspended after reports of hazing

OXFORD, Ohio (WXIX) – Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Miami University has been suspended over allegations of hazing.

“On college campuses, there’s a certain large group of people that still accept it, they call it sort of a rite of passage, but the legislature has really put its foot down and really more heavily criminalizing these actions,” FOX19 Legal Analyst, Mark Krumbein.

FOX19 NOW obtained a copy of the hazing report.

It says someone claiming to be a pledge for the fraternity told someone else he was being hazed for multiple days during rush week. He also said he was forced into accepting a bid into the fraternity.

The activities he was allegedly forced to do are described in the report as “inhumane.”

According to the report, the new member was forced to ingest an entire can of chewing tobacco and do a handstand, which made him vomit. It says he was also forced to cut off all communication with others, delete social media, and be at annexes for up to 24 hours a day.

The report also says the pledges had to perform wall sits covered in baby oil and each time they slipped, they were forced to drink.

“The Butler County prosecutor, Mr. Moser, that’s where Miami University is in Butler County, he is gone on the record many times saying that he is very much against hazing and he has taken it very seriously in the past,” said Krumbein.

A spokesperson for the university sent us a statement that says “Hazing of any kind is illegal and strictly prohibited at Miami University. Miami seeks to promote a safe environment where students may participate in activities and organizations without compromising their health, safety or welfare.”

Under university policy, hazing is defined as doing, requiring, encouraging or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student organization or other university-sanctioned organization or athletic team.

This also includes any act that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person, including coercing another to consume alcohol or another drug.

“The hazing law changed in 2021, I believe, because of Colin’s Law. That was the name of a young man, 18 years old, at OU that died from hazing,” Krumbein said.

In Ohio, Collin’s Law makes general hazing a misdemeanor and any hazing involving drugs or alcohol a third-degree felony.

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