JIO charges TEP with hazing

The Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity violated hazing regulations at least twice during the pledging process this year, according to Judicial Inquiry Officer Constance Goodman. She said earlier this week that a third incident is still under investigation. The JIO also said that since the hazing was within the pledging process it may be the collective responsibility of the fraternity. "Pledging is a fraternity activity," Goodman said. "The fraternity would be held collectively responsible for that." Goodman also added that in at least one of the cases there will be charges brought against at least one individual as well. After the JIO concludes her investigation, the matter will be referred to the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs which will attempt to reach a settlement. If a settlement is not reached between the fraternity and OFSA, the JIO's findings will be referred to the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Board, and closed hearings on the charges will be held. The board will then reach its own findings of fact on each of the charges and recommend a course of action to Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson. Director of OFSA Tricia Phaup said Monday that she had not yet received the findings of the JIO, and that when she does, she is unsure of what the end result may be. "I don't know if this will be settled, [within this office]," Phaup said. Outgoing TEP president Jordan Fishman declined to comment on the JIO's findings, but did say that the fraternity is trying to resolve the problem. "[TEP is] working with our national and alumni representative to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible," Fishman said. TEP's national executive director Jonathan Seidel refused to comment on the charges this week. TEP initiated its fourteenth pledge class since its campus reorganization in 1977 earlier this year.

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